This is not fair minister Molefi

| Friday January 29, 2010 00:00

If the exercise is to be done in fairness, I suggest they should start with the land 'belonging' to the Tati Company in the North-East district. In 2003, MP Robert Molefhabangwe tabled a motion calling on the State to review the Title Deed for the 1.3 million hectares of mostly idle prime land owned by the company.

The motion (supported by only two MPs) was ruthlessly shot down with insinuations such as '...this motion has the potential to whip up negative emotions on land issues'.  Tati Company is so special that it has an act dedicated to it in the laws of Botswana (the act is albeit littered with moribund clauses and references, some of which are inconsistent with the spirit of our constitution, but it is hallowed like the Holy Grail, woe betide whoever dares to tamper with it!)

I believe we should not apply double standards, being extra nice and accommodating to the rich and prosperous but quick to punish the poor. Indeed, maybe the minister can start by publishing a list of the top hundred landowners, with an accompanying land utilisation analysis.

Maybe it is high time we reviewed and harmonised the entire land tenure system, of Botswana, as Freehold ownership bestows unfair perpertual advantages which are not in the interest of the nation at large. Thank you.

Montwedi Cobra Muzila