MORE PAIN
Some Mogoditshane residents last week found themselves face to face with the law when their Land Board implemented a resolution to evict all squatters who illegally developed plots in the area, and their structures were demolished.
According to the Chairman of Kweneng Land Board, Kgang Kgang, Mogoditshane Sub Land Board has long been set up in 1993 after a Commission, to speed up land allocations in the area, but has been finding it tough to do so as several people have been squatting illegally and taking their precious time to move out when instructed to do so.
"We have recently learned about many plots that have been illegally obtained with over 200 fake certificates and after several attempts to warn those who continue to build without permission, the Land Board resolved to demolish such properties," Kgang said.
In the resolution, the main Kweneng Land Board, together with Mogoditshane Sub Land Board gave illegal squatters 21 days to remove their structures, failing which the Land Board would go ahead and demolish the properties, including seeking court orders from the High Court of Botswana.
Kgang Kgang warned those who are among the 200 illegal plot owners to remove their structures and building materials within the stipulated time. This would give way for proper plot allocations to deserving Batswana.
Currently, there are 140 000 people on the waiting list.
One resident identified to be squatting illegally, Aaron Nyika said he applied for a plot in 1992 and claims that after a long time, he was eventually called by the Land board for allocation in 2004.
"I am very surprised to see the Land Board pushing us out and demolishing our structures built from our hard-earned money,” he said.
Recently, Mogoditshane Sub Land Board called a Kgotla meeting to give updates on developments to the public and all dikgosi in the Mogoditshane area. Kgang told those in attendance that the Land Board has ‘had it’ with people who continue to allocate themselves plots illegally.
"We have recently started to mark all houses that are up for demolition with an ‘X’ and we shall not be negotiating on this matter of demolition. I am worried that some of Magosi here are part of this land scandal," Kgang warned.
He said 120 people have connected water illegally using fake certificates and about 115 claim to have been allocated their plots. Kgang admonished residents that no one is allowed to develop any plot without a valid Land Board certificate.
He warned people to know that they have now started engaging the police intelligence arms to help uproot any corruption activities that took place in Mogoditshane.
According to Mogoditshane Sub Land Board Chairperson, Neo Kesenogile, they stopped accepting applications in 2009 because of a shortage of land and backlog.
Kesenogile said that the Sub Land Board is concerned by people who erect fences around plots claiming to have been allocated by traditional leaders.
She appealed to dikgosi to stop writing letters that purport to allocate people land when they know that it is the prerogative of the Land Board.
Residents complained that the Land Board is taking long to allocate them plots and this causes people to end up taking the law into their hands. Other residents claim the Land Board is never fair when it comes to compensation.
Kgosi Kopelo from Kgatleng Ward in Mogoditshane, appealed to the Land Board to speed up allocation and be firm with taking action, especially against corrupt people.
"Until we come up with resolutions on actions to take to deal with maladministration, we will not win the issue of land,” Kopelo warned.
According to the Chairman of Kweneng Land Board, Kgang Kgang, Mogoditshane Sub Land Board has long been set up in 1993 after a Commission, to speed up land allocations in the area, but has been finding it tough to do so as several people have been squatting illegally and taking their precious time to move out when instructed to do so.
"We have recently learned about many plots that have been illegally obtained with over 200 fake certificates and after several attempts to warn those who continue to build without permission, the Land Board resolved to demolish such properties," Kgang said.
In the resolution, the main Kweneng Land Board, together with Mogoditshane Sub Land Board gave illegal squatters 21 days to remove their structures, failing which the Land Board would go ahead and demolish the properties, including seeking court orders from the High Court of Botswana.
Kgang Kgang warned those who are among the 200 illegal plot owners to remove their structures and building materials within the stipulated time. This would give way for proper plot allocations to deserving Batswana.
Currently, there are 140 000 people on the waiting list.
One resident identified to be squatting illegally, Aaron Nyika said he applied for a plot in 1992 and claims that after a long time, he was eventually called by the Land board for allocation in 2004.
"I am very surprised to see the Land Board pushing us out and demolishing our structures built from our hard-earned money,” he said.
Recently, Mogoditshane Sub Land Board called a Kgotla meeting to give updates on developments to the public and all dikgosi in the Mogoditshane area. Kgang told those in attendance that the Land Board has ‘had it’ with people who continue to allocate themselves plots illegally.
"We have recently started to mark all houses that are up for demolition with an ‘X’ and we shall not be negotiating on this matter of demolition. I am worried that some of Magosi here are part of this land scandal," Kgang warned.
He said 120 people have connected water illegally using fake certificates and about 115 claim to have been allocated their plots. Kgang admonished residents that no one is allowed to develop any plot without a valid Land Board certificate.
He warned people to know that they have now started engaging the police intelligence arms to help uproot any corruption activities that took place in Mogoditshane.
According to Mogoditshane Sub Land Board Chairperson, Neo Kesenogile, they stopped accepting applications in 2009 because of a shortage of land and backlog.
Kesenogile said that the Sub Land Board is concerned by people who erect fences around plots claiming to have been allocated by traditional leaders.
She appealed to dikgosi to stop writing letters that purport to allocate people land when they know that it is the prerogative of the Land Board.
Residents complained that the Land Board is taking long to allocate them plots and this causes people to end up taking the law into their hands. Other residents claim the Land Board is never fair when it comes to compensation.
Kgosi Kopelo from Kgatleng Ward in Mogoditshane, appealed to the Land Board to speed up allocation and be firm with taking action, especially against corrupt people.
"Until we come up with resolutions on actions to take to deal with maladministration, we will not win the issue of land,” Kopelo warned.
