26 Feb 2026

Government is aware of communities relocated from cattle posts to villages, including Maitengwe, Nkange, Marapong, Semitwe and Tutume, as part of efforts to bring them closer to essential services.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa when responding to a question in Parliament on Wednesday, from Nkange MP, Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi. 

Mr Motshegwa acknowledged that some of the relocated communities were currently settled on the outskirts of the villages without formal land allocation or direct access to utilities, such as standpipes. He also noted that residents in the said areas also lacked officially allocated residential plots, ploughing fields and nearby social infrastructure, including schools and clinics. 

Despite such challenges, the minister said they continued to access essential services through infrastructure in neighbouring wards. He also revealed that the Tutume District Council passed a resolution on January 26 this year, directing the District Development Committee and relevant Land Boards to address the situation. 

Following that resolution, Mr Motshegwa said the ministry began profiling and assessing residents in the affected areas to determine appropriate mechanisms for formal land allocation and the extension of services. 

The ongoing assessment process, he said was intended to facilitate the formal integration of the said communities into the village structures. In the interim, he said government was supporting affected households through existing social welfare programmes. 

“Assistance is provided on the basis of individual assessments, with social safety nets aimed at addressing immediate needs, whilst long-term administrative and residential solutions were being finalised,” he said. 

On whether government had any affirmative action policies specifically targeting the communities, the minister indicated that support was currently provided within the framework of established social welfare programmes, pending completion of the regularisation and service extension process. 

Mr Moalosi had asked if the minister was aware that communities were relocated from cattle posts to villages of Maitengwe, Nkange, Marapong, Semitwe and Tutume with the objective to bring them closer to services. 

Nkange MP also wanted to know if the minister was aware that the communities were settled in the outskirts of the said villages and had not been provided with standpipes, residential plots, ploughing fields, schools and clinics, as well as to state plans to assist them. 

He further wanted to know if government had any affirmative action policies, specifically to address the challenges faced by the said communities. BOPA