30 Nov 2020

Parliament has adopted a motion, which seeks to resolve as a matter of urgency, to fast-track relaxation processes of requirements for land allocation.

When tabling the motion, Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile, had indicated that the motion advocated for allocation of un-serviced land to ensure that people did not miss out on financial opportunities recently introduced by Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and other institutions.

He said the revised 2019 Botswana Land Policy had failed to remedy the land allocation backlog, saying this called for Parliament to consider relaxing requirements by land authorities on allocation of un-serviced land.

The motion was, however, amended following a proposal by Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga who contended that government was already in the process of implementing some of the key components explained in the motion. Mr Majaga said government was already relaxing some of the requirement by land authorities citing options to apply for un-serviced land. He thus suggested that the motion should rather request for the expedition of the relaxation process.Debating the motion, the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila said plans were already at an advanced stage to implement exactly what the motion seeks to address.

Minister Mzwinila indicated that the Ministry was currently in consultation with relevant stakeholders on the proposal of classifying land applicants on the preference of full serviced land, minimal serviced land or un-serviced land.

He said the government had taken a decision to engage the private sector through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to service land on its behalf since the government could not raise the P94 billion required to service land before allocation.

Contributing to the debate, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane indicated though he supported the motion as amended, the public should be in cognisant that motion was not a panacea to the land shortage in the country.

 He applauded the proposal to allocate semi-serviced land indicating that the move would reduce the backlog in land allocation, adding that water connectivity should be a priority on semi-serviced plots.

Mahalapye West legislator, Mr David Tshere expressed scepticism in supporting the motion saying it does not specify the type of plot allocation which would be affected by the motion

 He cautioned that the allocation of un-serviced plots in urban areas would be health hazardous as it would impact sanitation services and water drainages.

 Francistown West MP, Mr Ignitious Moswaane adopted the motion because the government should commit to setting a time frame to service the land allocated un-serviced. He said it was pleasing that the government had approved the Public Private Partnership Strategy in land servicing and housing development which was intended to accelerate the pace of providing access to serviced land and housing by the private sector.

 Tati East MP, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said the motion would address the delays in land allocation in his constituency.

 Dr Letsholathebe highlighted that his constituency had a waiting list of applicants that dated back to 2011. MP for Ghanzi South, Mr Motsamai Motsamai agreed with the motion and pleaded with the government to consider speeding up land allocation particularly to youth applicants to promote youth homeownership. ends