Kgaphamadi residents duly compensated for land
Residents of Kgaphamadi who are currently residing on a portion of the 5270-hectare land located to the west of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) are considered squatters and are expected to vacate.
They have been duly compensated, following legal processes including consultations with the rightful former landowners, as the Kweneng Land Board sold the land to the state.
Botswana Guardian has confirmed that all necessary legal procedures and consultations with the original landowners have been adhered to.
The summary of the preferred relocation options indicate that the total number of people assessed, along with the corresponding land size, is as follows: • Property Fields covering 3198.78 hectares with 439 properties assessed, valued at P9,788,934. • Mekgoro with fields, comprising 232.53 hectares and 248 properties, valued at P18,124,731. • Mekgoro without fields, measuring 69.25 hectares with 88 properties, valued at P5,397,642, all totalling P33,311,307.
Both Ontlametse Kgang, the Chairperson of the Mogoditshane Sub-land board, and Phagenyane Phage, the Chairman of the Task Force representing the residents, assert with certainty that the rightful landowners were compensated, and were mostly relocated to their preferred areas. This assertion is supported by documentary evidence.
According to documentary evidence, the land is now under state ownership, and those still residing in the area are considered part of Gaborone city, in line with the recommendation of the Delimitation Commission, which relocated them from the Mmopane-Lentsweletau Constituency.
To clarify, Kgang explained that the only outstanding allocations to be made by his sub-land board are for the 700 people who are descendants of the former landowners.
These individuals will be allocated plots from the 249 hectares already acquired, situated east of Mmopane village and west of SSKIA, thus concluding the matter.
A report titled, 'APPLICATION FOR LAND AT THE LEDUMADUMANE FROM KWENENG TRIBAL TERRITORY BY STATE (Compiled on 1st May 2009 by Kweneng Land Board)' was produced as evidence of all protocols, procedures, processes, consultations, including the names of those who have been compensated.
Part of the records read that Government has applied for Tribal Land from Kweneng Tribal Territory in their savingsgram dated 18th April 2006.
This was in accordance with Section 32 of the Tribal Land Act CAP 32:02. The state had requested to be granted 5520 hectares of land for the purpose of augmenting Gaborone.
The request for Land was necessitated by the fact that all land within the boundary of Gaborone was exhausted and there was need for more land to cater for high demand for residential, commercial, civic and community, industrial and other different land requirements.
Gaborone could not grow to any other area because it is bordered by Phakalane Estates and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport to the north; Gaborone Dam and the freehold farms of Forest Hill 9-KO (Kgale Hill) to the south; and Batlokwa Tribal territory, which is already exhausted, to the east. Gaborone boundary could only extend to Kweneng district (Mogoditshane).
Gaborone city extends to Mmopane area in particular, which is bordered on the eastern part by Sir Seretse Khama Airport, on the north-eastern part, just at the edge of the built-up areas lie Mmopane Hill, on the south of the village there is Mmopane Block 10 (Marope) which is designated flight path and restricted according to the Civil Aviation Land Use Control (SSKA) Order 1996.
The sole plausible expansion direction for Mmopane, as outlined in the Mogoditshane, Gabane, Metsimotlhabe, Mmokolodi, Tloaneng, and Mmopane Development Plan, is towards the north western section of the village.
Initially, the state land's proposed boundary included Mmopane Hill and the cemetery, causing concern within the community.
In response, on March 31, 2009, the Minister of Lands and Housing, along with the Task Force and Mmopane community, conducted a site visit to assess the proposed boundary.
The community proposed an alternative boundary, extending 216 hectares to Mmopane's eastern side, 350 meters east of Mmopane Hill, and 30 meters east of the cemetery.
The northern side extended one kilometre north of Mmopane Hill, following a clearly defined track, covering 64 hectares of the proposed airport extension area.
Recognising that Mmopane's village growth was constrained, in accordance with the Mogoditshane, Gabane, Metsimotlhabe, Mmokolodi, Tloaneng, and Mmopane Development Plan, the Task Force agreed to the
community's proposal.
After numerous consultative meetings involving the Land Board and the Ministry of Lands and Housing, the Kweneng Land Board, during its session from April 14th to 30th, 2008, made the decision to grant the state the requested land, totalling 5270 hectares and including an additional 249 hectares located to the east of Mmopane village and west of SSKIA.
Additionally, the following measures were agreed upon; (a) the relocation of affected individuals to a place of their choice, designated areas by the Land Board, or incorporation into Gaborone, and (b) the initiation of individual consultations and assessments for the affected population.
To carry out the individual assessments and consultations, the Land Board established a Task Force, with representation from the Ministry of Lands and Housing, through the Department of Lands, to handle compensation claims.
Kgosi delegated representatives from Goo-Sethebe, Ledumadumane, and Kgaphamadi to represent the community in any forthcoming consultations. Moreover, the Kweneng District Council was consulted on the matter in 2007.
Task Force ToR The Terms of Reference for consulting and assessing individuals affected by the allocation of land to the state were as follows:
Firstly, gather updated maps, aerial photography, among others, of the affected area; secondly, collect information on all previous allocations in the area; thirdly, gather data on unauthorised allocations; fourth, conduct individual consultations and assessments of affected individuals, considering factors such as their entitlement to the area, preferred relocation sites, developments made on the occupied land, and obtaining visual representations of these developments, along with mapping the extent of assessed plots; fifth, explore the use of Information Communication Technology to promptly address issues of double claims; and lastly, provide weekly progress reports.
Kgang, citing the report, asserts that a total of 775 people were assessed, with 687 possessing certificates. Kgang outlined the relocation choices made by affected individuals, indicating that 245 were relocated within the community, 85 were incorporated into state land, and others moved to specific locations.
Twenty-eight were moved to Kopong, seven to Metsimotlhabe, 16 to Mmopane, five to Gabane and one to Mmatseta, with three pending relocations that have since been completed, totalling 390 by 2009.
Consultations for this process have been ongoing and extensive since the beginning of 2006, covering the entire Kweneng District. These consultations were even extended to individuals not directly impacted.
Overall, the response to the state's application was positive, although intensity was higher in the affected area. Consultations took place in various villages under the jurisdiction of the Kweneng Land Board, such as Molepolole, Mogoditshane, Thamaga, Lentsweletau, Lephephe, Motokwe, and Letlhakeng Sub-land boards.
The analysis of the consultation and assessment reveals that individuals with fields and registered Mekgoro numbered 150, those with fields and Mekgoro confirmed by Kgosi's letters were 112, those with Mekgoro without fields were 151, and those with plots and graveyards were 91.
Individuals with fields and without Mekgoro were 163, while undeveloped plots and water points were eight and nine respectively.
Regarding the areas, the proposed land growth was initially 5270 hectares, including the 249-hectare Ledumadumane extent layout. Notably, the 249-hectare Ledumadumae area already had a layout and was adjacent to the 570-hectare (Innovation Hub) that Ledumadumane area allocated to the state.
The Task Force recommends the approval of the proposed boundary, which includes Mmopane Hill and the Cemetery. Additionally, the 28 hectares of land between SSKIA and the 57-hectare Ledumadumane area are suggested for incorporation into state land.
The Task Force considered various options, such as Gaphatshwe (Metsimotlhabe Block 4), which has a layout with 630 plots needing demarcation.