Let there be peace
The fight between Bamalete and government over the lucrative Forest Hill 9-KO farm dates back to almost 20 years ago. Though it was bought for a measly 3,000 Sterling Pounds back in 1925, the farm which is in the outskirts of Gaborone, is well positioned to become an instant economic hub for various uses including accommodation, shopping, recreation and many others. It is therefore, understandable that none of the two parties; government led by the Malete Land Board and Bamalete led by Kgosi Mosadi Seboko would badly want it. We, however, reckon that the issue should not have gone to court.
From the beginning, according to a report carried elsewhere in this edition although government always had intentions to take the land, it would seem civil as even suggestions of partnering came up, now what happened to that good old spirit of ‘ntwakgolo ke ya molomo’?
It is unfortunate to see that the matter has escalated to a level where now Bamalete and government have to resolve the matter at the Court of Appeal. As if that is not bad enough, we have Kgosi Mosadi accusing President Mokgweetsi Masisi of meddling in the Judiciary. On the other hand, Masisi denies ever saying he has judges ‘in his pockets’ and that he could not influence their decisions. When media reports stated that Masisi, Kgosi Mosadi and Ramotswa legislator Lefoko Moagi had met earlier this year, we were hopeful that the matter which the Land Board had already indicated was appealing, could be brought to finality. The two parties never disclosed what was discussed only for the latest accusations to emerge. Now, with allegations made against the Judiciary, we call on the government to abandon the case altogether and resort to conversing with Bamalete.
We further call on the two leaders, Masisi and Kgosi Mosadi to cordially engage on the matter. Whether the court decides that the land belongs to government or Bamalete, the two parties will still need each other to ensure that full economic and social benefits of the land are enjoyed by both parties. The conversation should further lead to more conversation about other controversial pieces of land across the country including that of the Tati Concession. The government cannot be hell bent on taking away land that belongs to Bamalete while there is plenty of land whose owners’ whereabouts are unknown.
The level of interest in the case should show authorities that Batswana are desperate for land and more needs to be done to ensure that Batswana are allocated land.