Panda's squatters risk wildlife attacks for farm jobs
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday February 28, 2022 06:00
Squatters, or as they call themselves, informal settlers live here in small mud houses with roofs hammered together out of fragile wood and covered with black plastics. The houses are not much to look at and the huts most probably cannot handle harsh weather conditions like floods. Most of these squatters spend most of their time working in the commercial farms that dominate Pandamatenga and thus, the “slums” are quiet during the day.
There is no electricity and plumbing in these makeshift homes and therefore sanitation and cleanliness is wanting. These are unlike the prefabricated shacks made of corrugated zinc sheets erected by urban squatters in the cities. These are makeshift homes made by settlers who are on the go and only there for seasonal farming activities like planting and harvesting.
The situation in Pandamatenga is similar to the squatting problem Jwaneng has fought for years. Jobseekers have trekked to the diamond town with high expectations over the years, only to find that the opportunities available are far outweighed by the people looking for them.
Pandamatenga, which is being built up as the next economic miracle in the country, is experiencing the same attention Jwaneng received.
The squatters’ area is an unsightly situation which puts together people from all walks of life, people who are forced by the social and economic standing of their families to settle in the area illegally. With the blessing of land owners, some have managed to erect mini structures in proper homes of Pandamatenga residents but not all of them have managed to legally occupy private lands with the approval of the owners.
These people do not have land titles and their right to live in Pandamatenga is regularly challenged by the government and private landowners.
They do elicit sympathy however.
Pandamatenga councillor, Tengenyane Tuelo said it was troubling to see people especially the elderly coming from various corners of Botswana to the small village, due to life challenges.
“You find that these people have no choice because they don’t know anyone here and they have no place to live. “They travel like refugees who cross the Mediterranean Sea and see where life will take them. “Some just sleep anywhere and never care whether a lion could attack them or not. “We are not talking about the youth here and these are mostly old women who want to work for a few bags of sorghum and then leave,” he revealed.
He said the village authorities have since talked about the issue with commercial farmers owners and other leaders. Tuelo said the intention is to do something to help, since the squatters are Batswana. He pointed out that they are currently in talks with the Village Development Committee to allocate a serviced piece of land with ablution facilities and water.
“It should be fenced and allow people to come with their tents if they want to stay there temporarily,” he said. “Also it will help commercial farmers to come to one place when there are looking for an extra hand in their farms. “There will be a record of who is working where so that when these people’s families come here looking for them, we can easily direct them to the right place,” he said.
Tuelo said residents have also helped hosting temporary settlers, which has helped the situation.
Chobe Land Board chairperson Johane Chenjekwa underplayed the squatting situation in Pandamatenga, when he spoke to Mmegi this week.
“Squatting is caused by what is happening in Panda in terms of agricultural activities. “Batswana from all over the country come to Panda seeking employment from these commercial farms. “Most of the time you find out that they don’t have places to live in and they end up putting structures elsewhere,” he said.
The Land Board has since called the village leadership to try and resolve the issue, particularly since the illegal settlers are setting up everywhere.
“Under the provision of our Act we hold in trust the tribal land so when there is an issue with the tribal land we go back to the tribe and make sure we start everything there,” Chenjekwa said.
The Land Board was also able to address the squatters.
“Another person would feel that we were lenient by addressing people who were illegally occupying tribal land. “But we didn’t want to face the situation in a radical manner by destroying everything and evicting the squatters. “It was sort of a meeting and we told them what they were doing was against the law. “We suggested that they ask for shelter in the existing plots because squatting is also a health hazard,” Chenjekwa said.
He revealed since that meeting, nearly 80% of the squatters had left and currently the Land Board is dealing with the remaining portion of those who are still refusing to evacuate.
The Land Board is now prepared to take the last step in ensuring that the remaining squatters leave their illegal dwellings.
“These are the people who are not even in the waiting list of plots allocation,” Chenjekwa said. “They will tell you that that they are only there temporarily and don’t want to settle in Chobe permanently. “But the Land Baord needs that land that they are on, in order to allocate plots.”