04 May 2022

Every Motswana has a right to be allocated a plot anywhere in the country, Marapong Sub-land board chairperson Mr Chief Mothakaja has said.

He told a kgotla meeting addressed by Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga in Lepashe on Tuesday, that land was not allocated based on tribal origins, adding that inhabitants were allocated land just like any other Motswana.

Mr Mothakaja further explained that the land policy stipulated that allocation of plots should be done on serviced land,  which had been surveyed as per the layouts. All the processes, he noted passed through different stakeholders ranging from departments of lands, council planners among others before land could be ready for allocation.

He emphasised that being on a waiting list did not guarantee plot allocation. 

He added that some applicants on waiting lists had plots or were given, which they sold, hence the need for screening before allocation.

Furthermore, the chairperson raised concern about those who failed to develop allocated plots, but continued to make applications for more land.

He was responding to Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson Mr Ernest Segaetsho who said Marapong Sub-land board was sidelining residents in plot allocations and allocated land to those from other areas.

He had said it took long for the land authority to allocate land.

 In addition, Mr Segaetsho said they had long requested that the village’s health post be upgraded to  a clinic and be connected to the national power grid to enable  nurses to attend to patients at night.

He said the village currently relied on solar powered electricity at primary school and kgotla.

 In response, Mr Majaga appealed to the residents to desist from tribalism when seeking services, noting that every Motswana deserved to benefit from whatever was offered by government.

He said government came up with initiatives to improve service delivery such as service standards and turnaround times for government departments. 

This, he said, was what Batswana must observe instead of resorting to tribalism whenever not satisfied with services.

 Regarding village electricity, Mr Majaga said as per previous updates, Lepashe was supposed to be electrified this financial year but due to other commitments it would be implemented in 2023/2024 financial year.  Ends