29 Aug 2021

Chobe councillors have been informed that vetting of the Kazungula plot waiting list was on-going and those eligible for allocation would be considered by the Land Board in its sitting starting on August 30. Addressing the on-going full council meeting, the council chairperson, Councillor Amos Mabuku said the Newstance Extension layout had 1079 available residential plots. 

He explained that a preparation of a base map to further extend the layout by an extra 1219ha was completed on August 21 and had been submitted to council for the development of a detailed layout. Still on land allocation, Councillor Mabuku informed the council meeting that a detailed layout for Mabele had been approved and would be surveyed by the land board before the end of August. 

He said the council was preparing layout designs for Satau, Kachikau, Kavimba and Pandamatenga villages. “Pandamatenga layout plan is still behind schedule whilst those of other three villages will be presented to the relevant structures in September and the completed designs are to be endorsed by the land board and physical planning committee prior to surveying and ultimate allocation,” he said. 

Cllr Mabuku indicated that so far the land board had allocated 145 of the 474 surveyed plots at Parakarungu. He said despite the fact that currently therewere 168 applications in the Parakarungu waiting list, fewer plots had been allocated because individuals invited for allocations were either found to be having Tribal Land plots elsewhere in the country or did not honour land board invitations. Cllr Mabuku said a total of 100 commercial plots had been identified for possible advertisement to the general public in Kazungula and Parakarungu. 

On issues of utilization of veld products, the council chairperson said a total of 362 permits had been issued for the grass-harvesting season that runs from 15 July to 20 October. He said 335 were for harvesters while 27 were for dealers. Cllr Mabuku encouraged the community to commit to sustainable harvesting and use and to also comply with the COVID-19 protocols and good environmental practices at their respective camping sites. 

On solid waste management, he said the council had entered into new contracts with two companies for the collection of refuse effective beginning of September. He noted that waste management was an expensive exercise and called on the community to play their part by paying for the service. ends