Recession leads to high demand in plots

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Wednesday January 20, 2010 00:00

The assistant landboard clerk, Bareng Mponape, said since the closure and retrenchments at some mines surrounding the area, the number of people looking for plots has increased significantly compared to past years.

He attributed this to the fact that most people have now moved from their company residences and have no place to stay. Just like any other growing village in the country, Mponape said they are faced with a problem of land shortage in their efforts to give Batswana plots. Letlhakane's situation is compounded by the fact that it is a mining area, because mines cover a lot of land.  Over 10,000 people are reported to be on the waiting list for land. Mponape said while they always advise people to apply for plots in neighboring villages they have not been successful as most people want to stay in Letlhakane because it is more developed.

Mponape said the last time they allocated land was about three years ago, and those who were lucky were those who had applied between 1996 and 2001. He said of the 12,000 people who had applied at the time, they only managed to allocate land to slightly over 3,000 people. Mponape added that they continue to receive applications on a daily basis. He said those who have applied seem so determined to get plots as they are always making follow-ups.

The land board is currently in talks with Letlhakane residents to buy their land so they can allocate it to applicants. Mponape said the process is going on well and they have secured a significant amount of land. The land board is waiting for the start of the 2010/2011 financial year to pay land owners before allocation is done.

However, despite the high demand the landboard also has a problem of people who do not develop their plots at the agreed period. Mponape observed that most people apply for plots when they work in Letlhakane but abondon them when they are transferred to different areas.  Mponape also said they are experiencing a problem of squatters. He said there are some people who sell their legal plots and resort to squatting. Letlhakane Sub Land, services Letlhakane, Mmatshumo, Mosu, Mokobilwe, Khwee, and Kedia and Mopipi villages.