Ramogapi 'disowns' hiked Bonno loans
Innocent Selatlhwa | Wednesday January 14, 2026 06:14
Ramogapi said he was unhappy with the increased amounts, stating that he would immediately engage with stakeholders for a review. Several district councils on Friday issued public notices for revised loan amounts for Bonno scheme under D4 scale and below, or equivalent, by the Department of Housing.
According to the notice, a one-bedroom house loan amount has been increased by P132,490.32 from P282,000 to P414,490.32,which is a whooping 32% increment.
The repayment period remains at 20 years, with beneficiaries now paying P1,727.04 from P1,175 in monthly installments over the period.
For a two-bedroomed house, beneficiaries' loan amounts, which previously stood at P235,000 have risen to P504,421.50. The monthly repayment would be P2,101.76 from P1,354.17, with the repayment period remaining at 20 years.
Beneficiaries who want a three-bedroom house will have a loan amount of P622,021.62, an increase from P491,000 previously. Their monthly loan payments would increase from P2,045.83 to P2,591.76 for 20 years.
The notice was met with shock by Batswana who said the cost of the scheme was ridiculous. Most of those who commented on social media said the increments go against what the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government promised, being affordable housing.
Ramogapi said he would engage stakeholders on the adjusted prices, admitting that they do not meet their desired standard of affordable housing.
“Batswana should, in the meantime, ignore the publicised rates as they do not reflect what we stand for,” he said when contacted for comment on the matter,
“We are currently engaging with stakeholders to ensure we meet our objective. We want to ensure that Bonno is accessible to everyone in all areas.”
Ramogapi added that even though he admits that building in some areas could be more expensive, adjustments can be made, but they ought to remain affordable. He called on Batswana to remain calm as he engages with stakeholders in the matter.
Bonno Housing Scheme is one of the UDC’s flagship programmes through which Duma Boko’s government has promised dozens of affordable houses throughout the country.
Under the Bunno turnkey development scheme, the adopted approach is a Design and Build method, where the government, through the Botswana Housing Corporation or the private sector, undertakes the responsibility of constructing homes for eligible beneficiaries.
To qualify, the beneficiary must own an undeveloped or 'virgin' land parcel that meets certain criteria.
The plot should be fenced, cleared of vegetation (de-bushed), have a temporary store-room and connected to a water supply.
Ramogapi told Parliament in December that under the Bonno turnkey scheme, 353 housing units were planned for construction across all constituencies in the current financial year.
“58 houses are under construction and are on course to be completed by the end of December,” he said then, adding that the remaining 295 units would start the same month due to the late approval of funding.
The minister added 61 houses under D4 and below or equivalent housing schemes would commence in December, owing to late approval of funds as well, whilst a total of 924 units were under construction and 11,494 at the pre-construction stage, making a total of 12,418 units.