10 Dec 2023

Sefhare/Ramokgonami legislator, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang on Friday presented a petition before Parliament on behalf of some Kgaphamadi residents who want to know their fate regarding the long pending relocation which was meant to pave way for the expansion of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA).

Presenting the petition signed by 83 residents, Dr Gobotswang said the petition was similar to the one that was in the past presented by residents of Ranyane, CKGR and Letoreng. Kgaphamadi is a settlement located northwest of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

Dr Gobotswang  said according to residents, around 2008 government made a decision that they must pave the way for the expansion of SSKIA considering that it was risky for a residential area to be on the edge of an airport.

He said that even though having agreed to the proposed move, albeit with mixed feelings, residents understood that the developments made would be assessed and be compensated.

This included a proposal to be relocated and awarded residential plots at identified villages, as well as relocating the cemetery.

However, Dr Gobotswang said it had transpired that the initial reason behind the proposed move was not the case, as the land including where Kgaphamadi is located was said to be earmarked for expansion of Gaborone and rumoured to produce about 90 000 residential plots.

He said that even though the compensation process was ongoing, the concerned residents alleged that some had been compensated and awarded land while the remaining group were viewed as squatters.

He said their primary concern was that after their developments were assessed and their compensation processed, they were later denied payment and allocation of plots as previously agreed and they were now deemed squatters. Dr Gobotswang said the issue had brought confusion, adding that some of those regarded as squatters were some of the elderly people, who were born and raised at Kgaphamadi.

“Their concern is that they never got what was promised to them. They are now asking that since the land will no longer be used for expansion of the airport, they be allocated plots and continue staying at Kgaphamadi,” he said.

He said residents, therefore, wanted Parliament to intervene and to establish why they were never compensated or relocated as promised.

He said it should be taken into account that Kgaphamadi was an old settlement and residents were allocated land by Dikgosi from Kopong, and currently have a remunerated Headman of Arbitration and an operational Village Development Committee.

Dr Gobotswang said the residents also requested the service of a social worker and the provision of potable water that had since been discontinued be restored.

He said if they could get land in that area, they must also be compensated for the current development, as the new plots would force them to align with the layout, therefore forcing them to demolish current structures.

Dr Gobotswang said another issue at hand was that the residents were rearing livestock, therefore appealing for an amicable solution as their livestock was deemed in conflict with city bye-laws. ends