11 Feb 2013

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake says he is aware that Kgalagadi Land Board has allocated 12 000 hectares near Lokgwabe.

Minister Mokalake, however said he was not aware of any other allocation in Makopong, Werda and Kang.

He explained that prior to the allocation of the 12 000 hectares in Lokgwabe, the land board had made public announcement of 21 days in line with the provisions of the Tribal Land Act.

He said subsequently, the land board consulted the community of Lokgwabe from November 21 to 25, 2005, and that the community was in support of the allocation.

Minister Mokalake further noted that Kgalagadi Land Board had allocated a livestock breeding farm near Logaganeg and Maubelo.

He noted that the land board had never allocated farms around Khweyane and Dekbos, adding that prior to allocation near Logaganeng, the land board had widely consulted the Logaganeng and Maubelo communities on August 2 to 13, 2004 and had no objections to the allocation of the farm.

Notwithstanding, he said in 2006, one farmer raised an objection against the allocation of the ranch, stating that the land board did not follow the laid down procedures in allocating the ranch.

The minister said the land board heard and dismissed the objection in December 2006, adding that the objector appealed the decision of the land board to both the Land Tribunal and High Court and that the case was dismissed.

Mr  Mokalake said he was aware of public concerns and objections raised during kgotla meetings addressed by the President in Tsabong in 2004 and 2006.

In order to address public concerns, he explained that his ministry appointed four officers to investigate the issues raised on the allocation of the farms.

On the basis of the findings, he said his ministry directed that consent be granted for all allocations and transfers of farms save for two, being farm IL3 and IL4 which were by then before the Land Tribunal.

Mr Mokalake said it was further directed that the freeze which was imposed on development of farms in the area be lifted. He said the Land Tribunal has since adjudicated over the two farms and dismissed the appeal in September 2012.

He said his ministry had also cautioned the land board to ensure that care was always exercised in land allocation to minimise possible suspicions or queries.

The MP for Kgatleng East, Mr Isaac Mabiletsa had asked the minister whether he was aware that the Kgalagadi Land Board allocated 12 000 hectares of land around Makopong, Kang, Werda and Lokgwabe despite numerous objections by the farmers within these catchment areas.

He also wanted the minister to state whether there was a similar outcry affecting farmers and communities around Tsabong, Maubelo, Dekbos, Logaganeng, and Kgweyane which was likely to cause loss of livelihood to a significant number of people, and whether strong public concerns and objections were expressed during the kgotla meetings held by the President in Tsabong in March 2004 and 2006 respectively. ENDS