Batlokwa very unhappy, demand answers
Land reserved for commercial purpose
Land Board owed P482 million in rental arrears
BAKANG TIRO
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
Elijah Katse, the newly appointed chairman of Tlokweng Land Board is poised to face first litmus test concerning a long standing land impasse in the village with morafe unhappy over land processes.
Katse’s fellow tribesmen, Batlokwa demand that he must address their land concerns as soon as possible revolting against his land board’s slow progress in allocating them residential plots.
The embattled Tlokweng Land Board have only managed to allocate four (4) residential plots in 2020 amid discontent by Batlokwa to Land Board for giving priority to commercial land allocation.
Tlokweng Sub District Council Chairman Phillip Mfolo has revealed this week during the council session that the land board is struggling to allocate land due to shortage of readily available land.
Mfolo disclosed that from April 2020 to date, the land board allocated four (4) residential plots emanating from resolution of disputes, appeals and other issues brought before the land board.
So, a worried group of Batlokwa backed by some of Dikgosi are intending to summon the board leadership to come out clear and reveal their plans on how they will deal with delayed land allocation.
In an interview, one senior Batlokwa royal said there has been misappropriation of land in the village with huge chunks of land is lost in dubious processes with morafe not consulted at all.
Displeased Kgosi who preferred anonymity said Batlokwa are disadvantaged but the investors continue to be given land adding that he believes it’s time for the Land Board should be investigated.
“It seems that some of our colleagues in Bogosi are aware of what is going on the tenders such as TLB\ 02\2016\2017) which has been since allocated by the land board. We demand that the part of land should be given to residential plots. Our land is being embezzled,” said anxious Kgosi.
Batlokwa have been at loggerheads with the land board questioning dubious allocation of land whereby priority is given to commercial purposes as entailed in the Tlokweng Development Plan.
Last year, worried Batlokwa group led by Tlokweng 2019 Alliance for Progressives (AP) candidate Chris Bogatsu unsuccessfully petitioned the land board against awarding of land for business plots.
But the Land Board continued with allocating the land for the tender TLB\02\2016\2017 which was disputed with the Land Board moving against wishes Re Bana le Basireletsi Ba Motse wa Tlokweng concerned that petitioned the Land Board and now another fresh fight is looming.
Also, Batlokwa in 2018 protested the proposals of controversial development plan (2001-2025) which entailed allocating the land for commercial purposes so as to allow for new developments.
A heated argument ensued between Batlokwa Paramount Chief Kgosi Puso Gaborone and his morafe who opposed their chief for strongly supporting the plan together with the land board.
However, Mfolo says the completion of the development plan is currently under review
He said the much unwanted development plan by aggrieved Batlokwa is expected to facilitate the land board and all its stakeholders in addressing a lot of inherent land issues of Tlokweng.
“ It also worth noting that since this financial year, Land Board has also rendered 13 agriculture and the 67 residential transfer, 3 agriculture and 19 residential registration, 4 agriculture and 78 residential compliance certificates, , 7 agriculture and 17 residential inheritances,” said Mfolo.
He said Tlokweng Land Board is currently owed a total of P482, 224.88 in Lease Rental arrears adding that total collection of these arrears as at 28th January 2021 is P107, 980.06, equivalent to 22%.
Efforts to reach Land Board Chairman Katse were futile as his mobile phone was off at press time.