10 Dec 2020

Ghanzi District councilors have expressed displeasure at the recommendation that Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security should evict illegal occupants at Metsimantsho and put in place measures to control access to the property.

The recommendation also stated that  Metsimantsho (Farm) owned by Ministry of Agriculture  Development and Food Security, should remain a service centre as it does  not meet the national  settlement policy because of its population of 219 people.

The recommendation made by district land use planning unit was relayed to the Ghanzi council through district Development committee report on Tuesday.

The recommendation seemed to have irritated many councilors.    

Their contentions were hinged on the fact that it is the government who attracted such inhabitants to farm by availing primary school facilities and health services to the place which was designated for service centre.

They also advanced that it would be costly exercise.

Nominated councillor, Mr France Kanguaiko argued that the inhabitants had a legitimate expectation because government through Ghanzi District Council had been availing services such as primary school and health services.  

Morama Ward Cllr Mr Jeremiah Tibi also felt that though assessment was relevantly done, government had given them legitimate expectation as they had been treated like any settlements.

Cllr for Kgaphamadi Central, Mr Thabiso Kebadile stated that in the judgment in the CKGR residents vs government case, among those that underscored was legitimate expectation.

He further argued that there was a time that Metsimantsho had a formal councilor before delimitation.
Tsootsha Cllr, Mr Kealeboga Gaebuse wondered what promoted the profiling and assessment of Metsimantsho and stated the recommendation came at a time when the farming activities had intensified.

He said that government should instead avail more services instead of evicting them.  

Other councilors were also against recommendation to evict Metsimantsho illegal inhabitant citing legitimate expectations and they said government would be disregarding or trampling their human  rights if the recommendation is implemented.    

Previously, sub-land board deputy secretary, Mr   Letlhogonolo Korononeo told the Charleshill sub -council that nine residential  plots were allocated   in 1986 and there had been no allocation since then.

Ghanzi land board secretary, Mr Dothodzo Tabengwa told Ghanzi district that he was yet to find out how many plots were allocated at Matsemantsho.

This was after Cllr for Karakubis Ward, Mr Pako Tlamme requested Ghanzi land board secretary to inform the council how many plots were allocated at Metsimantsho.

Mr Tlamme stated that according to his research there were 15 residential-allocated plots at Metsimantsho. Ends