24 Nov 2020

Tuli Block has a total of 95 original freehold farms, out of which 78 have legal boundaries up to the middle of the Limpopo River being an international boundary between Botswana and South Africa.

This was said by Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila when answering a question from the Sefhare/Ramokgonami legislator, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, who wanted an update on the status of Tuli Block farms. 

Mr Mzwinila said there was an ongoing exercise to investigate and verify the ownership of the farms.

“Currently, there is an ongoing exercise to determine the developmental status of all farms in Botswana, including those on State and Tribal land. 

The conclusion of the exercise was anticipated during the next financial year,” he said.

He said for one to ascertain the absentee and productive use of freehold land, there was a need to conduct an intensive field investigation. 

He highlighted that the advice on the introduction of a tax on farms that were not in productive use for a specified period had been noted, adding that it was something that his ministry would consider, going forward.

Minister Mzwinila said the creation of a buffer zone between the river and commercial farms required negotiations with farmers to expropriate some portions of the land for the stated activities. 

Taking note that the middle of the river was the international boundary, he said his ministry would have to engage South Africa on the issue.

He, however, said his ministry would soon embark on an exercise to negotiate for a servitude/wayleave along the international boundaries to facilitate the opening of patrol routes for security purposes.

Dr Gobotswang had wanted to know the total number and ownership of farms per nationality.

He also asked the minister to state the number of farms owned by absentee landlords and those not in productive use as well as if he would consider introducing a tax on farms that were not in productive use for a specified time.

The MP also wanted to know if the minister would consider creating a buffer zone between commercial farms and Limpopo River to allow local communities access to the river for grazing, fishing, small scale riverbank irrigation and tourism. ends