MPs back forensic land audit amidst corruption claims
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday December 3, 2025 06:00
The legislator had also requested government to consider instituting a 15-year forensic audit covering all land allocations in Mogoditshane.
The proposed audit would scrutinise the conduct of land board officials and employees, councillors, MPs, and senior tribal administration staff.
Barongwang told Parliament that many residents of Mogoditshane are ageing without ever securing land.
The bemoaned that some people are forced to live with their parents for decades, whilst plots are allegedly acquired by a select few, mostly Land Board employees, their families, and associates.
He argued that despite the village’s rapid expansion, access to residential land has become increasingly difficult due to alleged irregularities at Kweneng Land Board.
“Some people have spent decades on the waiting list, yet land continues to be allocated to those connected to officials.
“This motion is an opportunity for implicated individuals to clear their names,” he said.
The motion was supporter a number of MPs, noting that land allocation challenges extend far beyond Mogoditshane.
They said Batswana continue to face lengthy waiting periods, corruption allegations, and widespread land speculation, whilst some applicants reportedly wait more than 20 years for a plot.
MPs expressed concern that, despite various government resolutions such as decentralising certain powers back to traditional authorities, land allocation delays persist.
They suggested broadening the motion to compel government to institute a forensic land audit across all land boards with reported maladministration, covering everyone from junior employees to former presidents.
The legislators decried what they described as a ‘deepening crisis’ that has stripped many citizens of their dignity, leaving middle-aged Batswana in their 40s and 50s still living with their parents and extended families.
They cited reports of employees allegedly selling plots, manipulating waiting lists, accepting bribes, and allocating land to individuals without their knowledge, only for those plots to later be resold on the black market.
Tswapong South MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, reminded the House that a similar motion was presented in 2024 by a Botswana Congress Party (BCP) member, calling for a nationwide land audit to establish ownership, distribution and usage patterns for equitable planning.
“The issue of land affects every citizen. Alleged fraud, corruption and maladministration in land boards are a serious concern. Files are reported missing, plots are allocated multiple times, and waiting lists are manipulated in favour of those with money,” Gobotswang said.
Maun West MP, Caterpillar Hikuama, echoed these sentiments, insisting that the forensic audit should be extended to other regions, including the Tawana Landboard, where similar complaints have emerged.
“The issue of land is a ‘hot potato’ because it affects every citizen. People wait for decades to be allocated plots, and as MPs, we should help citizens and stop this corruption,” Hikuama noted.
Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware, also supported the motion, describing land allocation challenges as urgent.
He said there are allegations that plots in the Greater Gaborone area are being awarded ‘at night’, and that some people’s names are used without their consent to fraudulently allocate plots later sold at high prices.
Other MPs insisted that the time has come to root out corrupt practices, restore fairness and ensure that Batswana regain dignity through access to land.