Africa-Press – Botswana. The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture does not have current plans to review the lease rental rates for churches.
Answering a question in Parliament recently, the acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the lease rental for churches in Tribal Land is P0.10 per square metre per annum, whilst in State Land was P1.50 per square metre per annum.
“In the past, churches were lumped together with other civic and community uses. They have since been separated and have their own rate in recognition of the fact that churches are not profit making organisations,” he said.
Dr Dikoloti said the general rule that was used to arrive at the figure was that the charges were based at a rate of half the market value for a plot.
However, he said in Tribal Land the P0.10 per square was reached after thorough consultation with stakeholders, which resulted in the reduction from P0.55 per square metre to the current rate of P0.10 per square metre in October 2024.
The acting minister said he was aware that the previous P0.55 per square metre, which was an increase from the former flat of P100 was regarded as high, hence the review.
“I am also aware that churches have different capabilities to pay rentals. Therefore, the current charges are regarded as reasonable, taking into consideration that land has value,” he added.
The acting minister was responding to a question from Tati East MP, Mr Tlhabologo Furniture who had asked the minister how much churches were charged for lease, the criteria used to arrive at the figure and if he was aware that the amounts charged were way too much such that churches were struggling to pay.
He also wanted the minister to state the ministry’s plans to rectify the matter.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
