SALE OF LAND COMMON AMONG YOUTH Government is concerned about the sale of land in Botswana, especially by the youth who need it more than older population groups, says the Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake. Addressing a kgotla meeting at Botlhapatlou in the Letlhakeng Sub-district on Monday, Mr Mokalake said there were instances where the youth sold land even before they were allocated plots. “We have noted that as soon as the youth are informed that they have been listed by the land board to be allocated land, they start soliciting buyers,” he said. “Immediately after selling their plots, they apply for another plot and join the queue for allocation.” The minister noted with concern that sale of agricultural land was rife around the Botlhapatlou area, adding that he proposed a land policy to prevent the sale of land by individuals. “We have noted that some people sell all the land they have and later turn to destitute to the extent that when they die, there is nowhere to hold memorial services,” he said. “If the policy passes, it will prevent people from selling their plots to the last one.” Mr Mokalake said the policy would recognise equal ownership of land by married partners, something that would hopefully address the rampant practice where widows were dispossessed of land by in-laws. The policy also proposes reserving a certain quota of plots for people who originated in a village where the plots were being allocated. He explained that this is for the benefit of people whose villages have land pressure because of their periphery to cities and towns. Mr Mokalake also said integrated farming had the potential to save people costs as the current practice where people have villages, cattleposts and ploughing fields at different places was costly. Residents were urged to develop their residential plots on time to avoid repossession by the land boards. The minister explained that the development of a residential plot could also mean building a mud hut. Meanwhile, Kgosi Domkrag Omphitlhetse of Botlhapatlou asked the government for the maintenance of the road from Hatsalatladi to Diphuduhudu. For his part, Cllr Lefoko Kegopotswe told Minister Mokalake that the current practice where Botlhapatlou residents obtained services from different sub districts was tiresome. The residents go to Lentsweletau Sub-district and to the Letlhakeng Sub-district for various services. #BOPA
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 09:32:46 +0000
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