02 Oct 2024

A 30-year wait will finally come to an end on October 7 for residents of Mogoditshane who applied for residential plots as far back as 1993.

The leader of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, made the announcement on Tuesday during a meet-and-greet session with party elders in the Mogoditshane West constituency.

“From next week Monday, the allocation of residential plots will begin in several areas in Mogoditshane and surrounding areas, including Mmokolodi, Ledumadumane/Mmopane, Metsimotlhabe Block 4, Mogoditshane Block 5 and Diremogolo,” the President said.

He further revealed that the allocation of residential plots would commence in Mmokolodi, where 400 plots out of the 700 demarcated would be allocated starting with applicants who had applied for plots from July 1993.

He said the Mogoditshane Sub Land Board would then move to Ledumadumane/Mmopane, where a total of 1 700 plots would be allocated.

In Mogoditshane Block 5, approximately 1 200 plots would be allocated, while 1 300 plots would be given out in Metsimotlhabe Block 4.

President Masisi disclosed that Mogoditshane Sub Land Board had conducted a rigorous audit of residential plot applications, reducing the waiting list from a staggering 140 000 to a more manageable 48 000.

In addition, President Masisi shared that, starting next year, Mogoditshane Sub Land Board would begin allocating plots to applicants who had submitted applications as early as 1996.

However, he acknowledged that the land allocation process in Mogoditshane has been fraught with challenges and irregularities, particularly regarding illegal acquisition of land by some individuals through corrupt means.

The President expressed concern over the involvement of certain sub land board employees, leaders, and lawyers in these corrupt practices, stating that such actions undermine the integrity and fairness of the land allocation process.

President Masisi further revealed reveal that some of the plots that were illegally acquired were subsequently sold to foreigners.

He condemned this practice, asserting that land was a precious resource and a legacy passed down from generation to generation.

“This land belongs to the people of Botswana. It is our heritage, our birthright, our legacy. Selling it off to foreigners for personal gain is not only illegal, but it is a betrayal of our ancestors and our future generations,” he said.

President Masisi also addressed concerns regarding water infrastructure in the area highlighting his government’s achievement of bringing water from the North through the North-South Carrier Pipeline.

He assured residents of Mogoditshane that the next phase of the project would focus on enhancing water distribution and constructing sewage lines, which would significantly improve availability and quality of water in the area as well as proper sanitation.

Prior to President Masisi’s address, Mr Tumiso Rakgare, the prospective parliamentary candidate for Mogoditshane West constituency, had seized the opportunity to present the key concerns of his constituents to the President. Ends