26 Sep 2013

Palapye Land Tribunal President Phetsolo Nare will on December 15th deliver a judgment in the case in which the Ngwato land board rejected Mokala Game Farm’s application for a game farm at Mangolwane in Serowe.

Giving evidence in court on behalf of Ngwato Land Board, Bernard Philimon, a secretary for the District Land Use Planning Unit (DLUPU) based in Serowe, said the application was referred to his unit for assessment. The unit consists officials from several departments namely Land board chairperson, District Officer-Development, Land officer, Environmental officer, Wildlife officer and physical and economic planners.

He said DLUPU observed that the area applied for falls under Serowe planning area earmarked for linear park hence DLUPU recommended to the landboard to reject the application on that ground. He informed the court that areas within the planning boundary require prior planning before any allocations could be made.

He explained that in a case where land for such tourism use has been identified and planned for, it is advertised for all interested parties to apply and compete amongst themselves, an exercise which serves to ensure equity in land allocation.

‘The rejected land applied for falls squarely on the flood plain thus impossible to develop as it is not prudent to erect conference rooms on a flood plain,” he said.

Another witness in the matter Kagiso Tiro, a Physical Planner and also a member of DLUPU told the land tribunal court that the applied area is earmarked for recreation while the application requested a tourism related activity, adding that the game farm applied for is the composition of other uses which are of urban use such as restaurants and chalets.

He also pointed out that natural features are for public benefit thus not allocated to individuals because they are limited. He added that the land applied for is not compatible because the area surrounding it is for residential purpose.

Giving evidence on behalf of Mokala Game farm, Mr Amos Ramokate, a Principal wildlife officer told the land tribunal that he had visited the said area with Mokala Game Farm director Motswasele Ratshosa and Merwe Investment Managing director Dr Loius Taljaard for the puspose of familiarising himself with the proposal project site. He told the court that the area is suitable for a game lodge or farm and people would benefit from employment opportunities and recreational activities.

The court heard that the area was home to different plant species and diverse animal life resembling those found at the Okavango delta and Chobe River; thus submitting that it was therefore crucial for the area to be protected from human destruction. Mokala Game farm is represented by attorney Albert Modimo whilst Ngwato Land board is represented by attorney .ENDS