Minister Warns Against Land Speculation

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday September 20, 2010 00:00

 

He gave the example of Molepolole where the sale of land to foreigners is rampant.

Molefhi revealed that most of the business plots in Molepolole are owned by foreigners but they were not allocated by the land board. 

He said the plots were sold to the foreigners, adding that some of the plots were initially earmarked for residential purposes.He said in tourist places like Shakawe, local people have been selling their riverside masimo (fields) to foreigners to convert them into lodges.

The same thing, he said, has happened in Bokaa where people sold their masimo to foreigners along the dam site.

He said government will no longer allow change of land use for somebody who has bought land. 

He said if somebody wants to make a change of land use for masimo they would just tell that person: 'Tsamaya o e go lema - go and plough'.

Molefhi told Bakwena that people should not be making profit from tribal land.  Tribal land, he said, is supposed to benefit the whole community.

He warned that government will start giving priority to people who have never owned plots.

He said those who have sold their plots will not be allocated land again even if they applied again.

'Your name will always be second on queue,' he warned those who have been selling their plots. 

 Molefhi briefed the meeting about the government's new policy of 'One-person one-plot'.

He said when the Land Board considers applications, it will first establish whether that person already owns a plot. It will also establish whether the applicant has not made an application with another land board. 

He said every year, landboards throughout the country, allocate more than 100,000 plots.

But it has since been realised that some people have been allocated plots by more than three land boards. This is what is leading to land shortage, Molefhi suspects.

He gave example of the Mogoditshane Sub Land Board where at some stage there were 148,000 pending applications. 

Molefhi said after reviewing the list, they found that there were applicants who owned plots in other areas and they cancelled their names. He said they managed to reduce the list to 80,000.

He added that people who have been allocated plots in Gaborone will not be given another chance in Molepolole or any other place. 'If you have been allocated a plot in Molepolole, you should forget about getting another one in Masunga,' he said. 

He spoke about people who do not develop their plots after they have been allocated. He said according to the law, you are supposed to develop the plot within five years. 

The minister said the procedure of allocating land can cause anarchy if it is not handled properly, adding that land is depleted. Every piece, he said, has its own use.

'There is no land without usage. We should preserve our land for future generations,' he appealed to Bakwena. 

Molefhi said they are planning that in the next three years, all allocated plots should have numbers, including those in the rural areas. The plot numbers will be computerised, he said.

He said they want to make it possible for everyone to have a title deed.

The minister said when people have title deeds, they can use their residential places as security when they apply for loans from financial institutions. 

He told Molepolole residents that before they put up a building, they should take the design plan to the council for approval. Even before the building is occupied, it has to be inspected by council officials. 

He said this not only meant for safety measures but rather residents can approach banks for loans when their homes have been issued with inspection certificates.

The minister said the government will also be able to tax the home owners.

He also revealed that due to shortage of land, in the future, government will put up multi storied buildings for residential and office use.

He briefed residents about the new land board regulations which say members will no longer be elected. 

One of the members of the Bakwena royal family, Kgosimotse Sebele, complained about people from the northern part of the country who have been allocated land there.

He said these people have cattle and ploughing fields from the areas where they come from. 

Kgosi Pule of Gabane was concerned about the illegal mining of sand and gravel. He wanted to know what steps the government was taking to control the situation.

Responding to some of the Sebele's concerns, Molefhi said the tribal boundaries are meant for administrative purposes. He said land in this country belongs to all Batswana.  

As for the illegal mining of sand, he said the government is doing something to curb the situation. He said they have been discussing this issue with other stakeholders.

He said the Minister of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, will be addressing meetings to address the issue. 

Molefhi said the government will increase penalties for people who engage in illegal mining of sand and gravel. A vehicle that is found with the contraband will be forfeited to the state. He said according to the proposals, no vehicles that vehicles that transport sand after 6 o'clock in the evening will be stopped.