Former Khwai/Mababe Councilor, Kebareeditse Ntsogotho has called on the North West District Council (NWDC) to engage the new government over the pending request by Mababe residents to have a portion of their settlement changed from a state land to a tribal one.
Mababe is situated in a concession area NG 41 which is classified as a state land and is only administered by the department of Lands under the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture.
The issue of tribalisation or retention of Mababe as State land dates from way back, with government in 2016 having given residents three options to choose from that included acquiring plots under state land, tribalisation of their village and relocation.
The community initially resolved to be allocated plots on the state land but after sometime changed their position, and called for the area to be tribalised and government since then is yet to make a final decision on the matter.
While he was still the area councillor, Ntsogotho tabled a motion for the then Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Kefentse Mzwinila to address Mababe residents regarding the issue. The minister could not however make it but sent his deputy permanent secretary whom together with the district leadership went to Mababe to address the residents.
From the meeting, the residents had now requested for a portion of state land to be tribalised They cited that the same thing also happened in Phuduhudu where residents were given a special dispensation for a small portion of a tribal land in Nxai Pan despite the area also being a state land.
Mababe residents have over the past years been disadvantaged by the status of their settlement- being a state land which happen to also be situated within a wildlife management area. They are unable to access amenities such as water and electricity as some do not have land certificate required which is only issued by the land boards.
Further, the residents also find it very difficult to benefit from any government poverty eradication initiatives since it is not easy for them to apply for change of land use. It also remains difficult for the residents to be allocated plots since state land is only administered by the department of lands.
“Even if they stay in state land, the fact that there are no offices of the Department of Lands in Maun will remain a huge inconvenience to them as they are forced to travel as far as Francistown for related services,” Ntsogotho stressed.
He indicated that it was concluded from the previous meeting that the deputy permanent secretary would go and engage the minister and they will subsequently comeback to give the residents feedback. The specially nominated councillor says it however surprising and frustrating that up to today there is no answer addressing the issue adequately.
“This means that Mababe people will continue to leave in a situation were they have no access to water and electricity consequently affecting their livelihoods,” Ntsogotho said.
Ntsogotho has since requested the council chairman to form a delegation that will meet the minister of lands and Agriculture, Micus Chimbombi regarding the issue which has been long overdue.
“Because there is nothing difficult to cut a portion of land, tribalise it and it becomes official then Mababe people could start receiving essential services,” added the councillor.
Ntsogotho complained that the same thing is happening in Khwai where authorities continue to drag the mapping of the area. Worse to that, the councillor complained that the residents are not updated about the progress made.
“Today we are leaving in a world where people want to develop their lands and derive a livelihood from it. So, if institutions such as council and land boards take so long time to do mapping, then that inconveniences and disadvantages the public.”
