Row erupts over double plot allocations

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Friday January 27, 2012 00:00

An incomplete toilet structure and erected corner poles are visible inside the premises of a transmitter. Indications are that the plot was being developed until those working at the transmitter were ordered never to give the developer access onto the premises. The development of another plot inside the transmitter premises, according to the village councillor, Nathaniel Moribame, is contrary to the Botswana Power Corporation (BCP) advice that no plot should be allocated within a 100-metre radius from the transmitter.

In a letter to the minister signed by the councillor, Kgosi Solomon Pharithi and VDC chairman, Moroma Malema dated January 25, 2012, the village leaders called for the minister's intervention stating that Bobonong Sub Land Board has allocated new plots inside plots that had already been allocated. The letter also states that the land board has also made the village cemetery inaccessible by allocating plots on the road to the graveyard. It adds that the sub land board continues to allocate residential plots directly in front of Molalatau Junior Secondary School, the area that had been earmarked for village developments.

The letter further says that the Sub Land Board secretary, Tebogo Rankhuna, flatly refused to attend a Kgotla meeting called to tackle the burning issue of land allocation in their village. During a Kgotla meeting yesterday the councillor informed the community that their attempts to have theSub Land Board secretary to come and address them over such irregularities in the past have hit a snag, hence the decision to  appeal to the minister.

'We tried to discuss this issue with him but we failed. At the same time people are continuing to develop their plots inside the transmitter premises. BPC have strictly advised that nobody should be allocated a plot within 100 metres from the transmitter due to possible accidents that may result from the power in the transmitter. The Sub Land Board even failed to comply with the requirement that the area in front of the junior school should be reserved for village developments not residential plots,' he said.

The councillor stressed that they cannot just ignore these issues. During comments residents said the issues concerning the Sub Land Board have been disturbing them as now they cannot access the graveyards.  They expressed shock at the possibility of a residential plot being developed inside the transmitter premises.

He added that as the land custodian, the Sub Land Board must investigate the issue as it committed so many mistakes in the past. They however said even the land overseers should be held accountable for the land irregularities in the village because they create conflicts. 'Land board allocates after Kgosana and land overseer has approved the application. Those who sign are also to blame,' said one resident.

Some residents also wondered why the Sub Land Board could refuse to address them. 'We support the decision that the minister should come. Perhaps we should also investigate who between the transmitter and the owner of the plot inside was allocated the plot first before the minister comes,' suggested one resident. The village land overseer, Sejebodi Nkgodi, explained that he had told the Sub Land Board that that the area in front of the junior school was saturated but he was ordered to approve allocations there, in a move that created a row between him and village authorities. He also said that the land custodian even measured the area around the transmitter before allocating it, hence he should not be involved in the issue.

In response the councillor said what he emphasises on is that there should be consultation with the community by the Sub Land Board.  'We cannot just sit on an issue like this.  We took  proper action informing the minister so that the Sub Land Board explains itself,' he added.

Though he referred all Mmegi enquiries to the main land board in Serowe during an interview, Rankhuna said he was unaware of the issue at the Btv transmitter adding that he will look into the matter.  He explained that normally they register cases of double allocation as disputes after one party approaches them. 'We remove the other and compensate with a plot or loss of right,' he said. Rankhuna was not even aware of the letter of complaints submitted to the minister.