02 Oct 2025

Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture has directed the Tawana Land Board (TLB) to immediately resolve a backlog of serious land management and allocation issues, some of which date back to 2010 and 2015.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Maun recently, Dr Edwin Dikoloti acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents which he said were long-standing issues and disturbing. Dr Dikoloti instructed the board to address all outstanding matters and report back to him by the end of October.

Issues raised during the meeting included a rise in illegal self-demarcation and claimed boreholes, insignificant delays in land allocation, slow issuance of secured land certificates, inheritance matters, land transfers and fraudulent claims of matlotla (old residential plots or ruins).

Dr Dikoloti said he was alarmed by the matlotla issue, which he noted had been linked to illegal land grabbing and fraudulent claims in prime areas like Khwai village and led to conflicts. He indicated that matlotla hold a spiritual connection and thus urged the board to confirm the accuracy of all claims before registration.

He also expressed shock over a case where an individual illegally claimed and fenced a borehole at Dhaoga settlement, which had been in use since the 1950s and ordered the TLB to address the matter urgently.

“The complaints clearly show that the land board is not doing enough,” he said.

He further called on the TLB to put its house in order and accelerate land delivery initiatives to meet community allocation needs and support socio-economic development. Also, he called for the enhancement of extension services to ensure residents had the necessary knowledge and information to avoid losing their claims or facing legal consequences.

Dr Dikoloti assured residents that he would engage both the main land board and its sub-land boards, not only to address the current issues but also to set concrete targets for future performance.

Residents, however, used the platform to voice their deep-seated complaints and highlighted the long waiting periods they endured before plots were allocated, even after submitting evidence from traditional leaders. They argued that such delays were detrimental, slowed down development and contributed to rising poverty levels.

Some residents further called for the dismantling of the board, saying it was an obstacle to efficient and timely assistance. They requested the minister to appoint new board members who were familiar with district land issues and had the community’s best interests at heart.

One Mr Batubi Osakamoa said his hopes were gradually dwindling after applying for a plot in 2010 for a fodder production project intended to create employment for young people.

Another resident, Mr Kenosi Kenosi accused the TLB of using delaying tactics for locals while allocating land to foreigners and questioned the criteria used. He demanded the suspension of the renewal of the NG29 lease, which expires in December, saying the community had long applied for the concession, but it was allocated to a foreign national.

He also raised concerns that the board allocated matlotla without engaging Dikgosi, something he said led to conflicts as applicants claimed land that was not theirs.

Mr Kgato Motai complained that residents were losing agricultural land due to mine expansion activities, noting that about 72 farms in the district would be affected and as such requested government to intervene to protect land owners. ENDS