04 Oct 2023

A plot on which Gaborone City Council has built a shelter on, while it does not belong to the council, has caused consternation among councillors, who last week demanded answers. Councilor Tshenolo Palai described the arrangement as scary. 

“How did the council develop a plot on land that belongs to the Ministry of Lands and claim not to know about it?” he asked. Councilor Tshepo Moloko argued council had no business developing a plot that did not belong to it and urged for diligence in investigating the matter. 

Councilor Daniel Modise said the issue warranted summoning of heads of department. Councilor Jenamiso Mathalaza said the matter was worrying as too many plots were transferred between individuals, Ministry of Lands and council, and said there was need for clarity on the transfer of open spaces between individuals, council and Ministry of Lands. 

He added it was wrong of the council to build on a plot it did not own. 

For his part, deputy mayor, Oduetse Tautona said the council had done nothing wrong as it has built the shelter, on government land. 

However, he promised they would seek further clarity on the matter. The discussion followed a question by Phakalane councilor, Mr Nicholas Lebogang who wanted to know how many plots the council owned in Phakalane. He also had wanted to know who the plot that the council constructed a shelter on belonged to. ENDS