Africa-Press – Botswana. The President of Botswana Association of Tribal Land Authority (BATLA), Mr Kgang Kgang has warned Batswana against illegal occupation or purchase of land.
Mr Kgang, who is also the Kweneng Land Board chairperson, was addressing Ngwato Land Board members recently on the issues of land allocation, their planned strategies concerning land management and members’ welfare in Serowe.
Mr Kgang said although he was aware that people were complaining about slow pace in allocation of land, Land Board was the only entity mandated to allocate land.
“Anyone who illegally allocates themselves or buys land illegally acquired should know they will face the wrath of the law,” he warned.
He said illegal land allocation remained widespread and wrongdoers were from all sectors of society.
Mr Kgang said the consequences of the offence were punitive and urged all to follow procedure to avoid losing their money and property.
He said action would be taken against squatters and anyone who purchased illegally acquired plots in the area or anywhere within the Land Board’s jurisdiction.
On other matters, Mr Kgang advised members to be active in land management issues saying government expected BATLA to advise the ministry as well as being a mouth piece for Land Boards.
He said the government was committed in addressing challenges concerning land management.
“The association needs to be noticeable and at the lead of educating the public on land management issues,” he said.
He said BATLA should play an advisory role since it had professionals with various competencies, experiences and skills.
Mr Kgang said the association has to align with the government strategies and should lead the transformation of Land Boards.
He, however, said BATLA was aware of public concerns regarding land management issues especially delays in land allocations.
Mr Kgang said Land Boards had many challenges not only limited to shortage of land but shortage of resources especially human resources.
He said they were engaging all Land Boards as land custodians to see how best they could meet address challenges.
Local Authorities have been encouraged to develop policies and programmes that will address the needs of land at local level.
“Doing so would help to build their resilience and enable them to face future challenges,’’ he said.
He underscored the need for Local Authorities and Land Boards to work collectively to develop strategies aimed at benefitting the community, as well as creating a friendly environment for investors.
Mr Kgang urged Local Authorities to team up with Land Boards, introspect and correct their mistakes, emphasising that Land Boards should be responsive to the needs of the community and shorten the period of land allocations.
He also noted that they should avail land for value chain development and opportunities to flourish.
BATLA president also advised Batswana to familiarise themselves with the laws governing land, especially the Tribal Land Act.
The chairperson of Ngwato Land Board, Mr Lesego Raditanka implored all employees of Ngwato Land Board to work collectively and harmoniously as a team to reach a countrywide set target of 100 000 plots per year.
Mr Raditanka applauded excelling employees for their selflessness, commitment and excellence in executing their mandate, even though they are running short of resources.
He said mindset change underlined behavioural change and called for a fresh approach to the way business is conducted.
He shared that the Ngwato Land Board covered a large area that encompassed 15 Sub-Land Boards.
He was also concerned about illegal land allocation in various villages, cattle posts, boreholes and fields.
dailynews
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
