17 Jun 2025

Government is determined to improve services it renders, and that includes issues associated with land allocation.

Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti implored Bakgatla during a kgotla meeting in Mochudi recently, to exercise patience regarding land allocation saying, their proximity to Gaborone exacerbated the problem.

“I am here to speak to you in person and listen to you. I can also relate because one out of 10 people who report to the ministry about land boards are Bakgatla,” he said.

The meeting that gathered all ministry principals from different sections also sought to allow the residents an opportunity to register their complaints with the officials so that solutions could be sought.

Dr Dikoloti stated that the meeting was opened suggestions that would be considered in the upcoming Winter Parliament, the mandate of which was to consider bills.

Ministry of Lands and Agriculture deputy permanent secretary, Dr Odirile Mabaila acknowledged the plight of Batswana regarding land issues. He said the ministry was currently resolving some challenges that came with the introduction of Secure Land Title.

Dr Mabaila informed the meeting about generic challenges including land transactions, claims of open spaces, inheritance, self-extension in built up areas, fraudulent transactions through inheritance and unauthorised land use change.

He also apprised the meeting that most land boards were struggling with record keeping especially where land transactions were involved. Dr Mabaila informed Bakgatla that following a declaration that Kgatleng now was a planning area meant that all land use and development projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial, would require a planning permission.

The process ensures that development aligns with the development plan established by local planning authorities, said Dr Mabaila. Bakgatla together with the deputy chief, Kgosi Bana Sekai expressed displeasure with the current board which they said failed to address their challenges. Residents complained that the board was marred with issues of mismanagement, nepotism and not being thorough when settling disputes, suggesting that a commission of inquiry and audit be considered. Others complained that they were disadvantaged to benefit from agriculture programmes because they do not have certificates, since land transfers from their deceased parents took forever to be resolved by land board. ENDS