05 Mar 2023

The P3 000 charge required when people change land ownership is a cost sharing measure to meet government half way.

Responding to a question recently during ministers’ question time, Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila said the P3 000 was not steep considering the total cost of the whole process, which he said cost around P10 000.

“The charge started after the implementation of the 2018 Tribal Land Act, which ensured that tribal land had the same value as freehold land. This made the certificate an equivalent of a tittle deed, meaning the certificate was now costly to make than initially,” he said.

He added that costs emanated from the fact that the plots being transferred would now need to be mapped and surveyed, unlike previously when transferring was just paperwork.

He, however, indicated that transferring of inherited plots was charged at P200. He also explained that land boards were required to exempt disadvantaged people from payment of transfer fees with a recommendation from the department of social and community development. 

He promised to ensure that land boards complied with the exemption order.On the valuation fees required during transfer, Dr Mzwinila said that it was a requirement under the Transfer Duty Act, which was under the Ministry of Finance.

“Even though I am not privy to details, I understand that the relevant minister is in the process of addressing the issue,” he said.

Dr Mzwinila also admitted that two deeds offices across the whole country were not enough, and said that Palapye and Maun would be ideal to set up more offices to complement the two existing ones in Gaborone and Francistown.

He, however, disputed allegations that the two existing offices were overwhelmed, saying their workload was reduced in September last year after a change in procedure that allowed people to use affidavit sworn by any commissioner of oaths as evidence of the kind of marriage contract.

Earlier, Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi had said Batswana were complaining about the cost of transfer of land being too steep for them.Mr Ramogapi said it was even worse that there was no exemption for the youth, disadvantaged people or transfer of inherited land.

“There is also this requirement to value the land before transfer, and at the moment, land boards and BURS are passing the responsibility to each other,” he added.

Mr Ramogapi also called for an establishment of a deeds office in Palapye. On one hand, the minister was requested to ensure the information was shared with Batswana and Dr Mzwinila agreed that a press release would be released. ends