PS overhauls Landboards!

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services (MLMWSS), Bonolo Khumotaka, shocked many on Monday when she nullified all the results of interviews concluded in March for candidates who aspire to be members of the  landboards around the country. 

The term of Land Board membership is three (3) years and the tenure of the last Boards elapsed in March 2020. Khumotaka revealed that the ministry management had discovered serious inconsistencies in  selection procedures used by all Land Boards emanating from Regulations which empower Land Board Selection Committees (LBSCs) to formulate their own procedures.

It emerged that  the processes and procedures adopted by each LBSC during the selection process done in March differed substantially. “The anomalies led to inequities in the selection process, in some cases leading to the recommendation of unqualified candidates. Thus the current selection process is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue in a country instilled with good governance as a basic principle. Taking all these into consideration, the Ministry has resolved to cancel and re-start the whole process and further standardize the selection process across all Land Boards,” said Khumotaka.

According to Khumotaka the decision to nullify the selection process was made taking into consideration the extremely important role that  Land Boards have in  ensuring that  Batswana are served and assisted accordingly, as well as ensuring that the economy is revitalised after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In addition, the Ministry is the strategic  implementing  authority   of  the  Transformation   Agenda  with respect to land reform and land management for greater economic growth and development,” she said.

“The Ministry will re-advertise the position for Land Board membership in various media platforms. Eligible Batswana willing  to diligently  serve the nation and drive the Transformational Agenda for  greater  prosperity  are encouraged to  apply.    The term  of the  previous Main Land Board Membership has  been  extended  up  to   31st August   2020  to   ensure continuity of service,” said Khumotaka.

In compliance with Tribal Land Regulations, the  Ministry of Lands had in November 2019 invited the members of the public to apply for appointment to the membership of Land Boards. Interviews were conducted and recommendations made to the Minister for possible appointment as per regulations.

MLMWSS is tasked with,among others, ensuring proper land administration and management in Botswana,  a critical asset, not only for economic development, but for sustainable management of the environment, equity and food security as well.

Land Boards were established under the Tribal Land Act,CAP 32:02 to hold tribal  land  in  trust  for  the  benefit  and advantage of  the  citizens of Botswana and for the  purpose of  promoting their  economic and social development.Thus prudent management of this finite resource is essential.