Land use wars far from over
As more Batswana want to convert to mix use
The President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi’s vision and directive to have Batswana converting ploughing fields to commercial or mixed use appears to be a disaster in waiting.
Following government‘ s pronouncement that Batswana may optimally utilise land they possess by introducing other economic empowerment activities on up to 50 percent of their agricultural land, it has become evident that some Batswana welcomed the news by subdividing their land into plots of as little as 400msq, with the intention of selling them.
Others sub divided their fields into 1ha portions and transferred them with the intention of benefiting more from the said fields especially where Land Boards have provision for in- kind compensation.
Kefentse Mzwinila the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, this week explained to Parliament that following the pronouncement to allow for use of 50 per cent ploughing fields to mixed use, his Ministry went on to propose amendments on the Botswana Land Policy of 2015; The Development Control Code of 2013, Integrated Agricultural Farming Guidelines, Agro Tourism Guidelines, Tourist Related Accommodation Guidelines, as well as Revocation of Government Notice No 77 of 2001.
These were approved through Presidential Directive CAB 14( A) of 2019. This culminated into the preparation of Guidelines on Agricultural Land Use which was first communicated to all stakeholders including land boards and councils through savingram referenced MLWS 6/ 6/ 12 IV ( 30) from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services.
Mzwinila said the Guidelines were further revised a year later in October 2020 and officials of land boards and councils who are the implementers were duly consulted. He said the first savingram was in 2019, and the second one as an amendment, went out in 2020.
“My Ministry has continuously liaised with the relevant offices for an update on applications for ploughing fields and specifically as at September 2021”.
He said the Central District reported that in 2020 they received nine such applications, of which six were outright approved, and three were deferred with guidance given to the applicant.
In 2021 so far, the district has received 24 applications, of which 15 have been approved, while eight were deferred for the applicants to address the deferral matters. One application was rejected as it did not conform to the set guidelines.
Mzwinila said among other things, some of the deferral reasons include the proposed change of land use contravenes the Development Control Code or the proposed change of land use contravenes the Savingram which changed the Development Control Code.
Mzwinila said on the part of assisting those who intend converting their ploughing fields, his Ministry together with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, duly represented by councils, shall continue to educate the public on what is possible and what may not be acceptable.
“Parliament should understand that in as much as we facilitate for the usage of ploughing fields, regard is made to all other considerations. It is in the best interest of the country to uphold the rule of law, as well as not eventually create anarchy.
“My Ministry’s vision is to attain sustainable human settlements, resonating with the Sustainable Development Goal ( SDG) Number 11, that of attaining sustainable cities and communities which are inclusive, resilient, safe and sustainable,” Mzwinila said.