"We thought that young people are the ones involved but it came to our attention that parents have joined the fray," she revealed.
She said it was very disturbing that after they had worked so hard and spent huge sums of money to secure land for allocation, it was easily sold to speculators.
"I think we as the land board should also see whether we can also sell these plots to you. You are given these plots without paying a thebe, but instead asked to bring four corner poles for identification," said a worried Meswele.
Asked what measures are in place to prevent this, Meswele said it was difficult because whenever the two parties come to land board offices to change ownership, they say: "I am giving this plot to my uncle". "There is no law which prohibits people from exchanging land even if we know there is exchange of money taking place, we are helpless," lamented Meswele. The residents pleaded with the land board officials to find ways of curbing the situation before the land is in the hands of foreigners.
Commenting on undeveloped plots, land board officials accompanying Meswele said there is a monitoring committee which will assess undeveloped plots available in Kgatleng and that "if these plots remain undeveloped after the given grace period of five years for residential and two years for commercial, they will be repossessed".
He encouraged people to start developing their plots before the committee resumes its duties.
Meanwhile, young people were called to apply for land so that they could utilise government schemes such as the CEDA Young Farmers Fund and the newly revised ALDEP III.
"We have been advised to assist all young people below the age of 21 who want to apply for these schemes to give them land," he said.
