Rakgare calls for stiff punishment of land thieving politicians
Innocent Selatlhwa | Wednesday July 17, 2024 16:54
The Mogoditshane Sub Land Board has been on the spotlight over the controversial Compensation-In-Kind Policy. The Kweneng Land Board Chairman, Kgang Kgang, visited Mogoditshane Kgotla to discuss the Compensation-In-Kind Policy employed for land transfers in Mogoditshane. According to Kgang, in 2020 when he was first elected to the Kweneng Land Board, he was told that people were waiting for their plots after their land was taken from them. He said the main Land Board had stopped this because they suspected the Compensation-In-Kind Policy was unlawful. Kgang said they looked at the mess at Mogoditshane after hearing all those involved in the cases. They sought legal opinion from Monthe Marumo & Co. The attorneys said the Mogoditshane Sub Land Board was carrying out an order by Kweneng Land Board to look and make recommendations, made themselves a Land Board, determined compensation and allocated plots to people, which is unlawful. They said looking at what has transpired, looking at various reasons, a dialogue with stakeholders can bring a solution to make all happy as in Kgatleng where they successfully resolved the cases.
Rakgare said he was an interested party in the matter as a politician. He said it was important that he listens to issues affecting people and try to be part of the solution. “We do not give people plots but we speak on your behalf on different matters. The land issue is topical in Mogoditshane because there are a lot of people from outside Mogoditshane. But it is painful that it seems like most of those who are enjoying land rights in Mogoditshane are outsiders,” he said. Facing Kgang, Rakgare said they have long called for the resolution of the Mogoditshae land issues leading to an audit that was done. He said he was hurt by the fact that since then to this day, some ploughing fields were lawfully taken from residents by the Land Board, others were cheated from the land, others have long applied since 1993 but have not been allocated land while those who stole the land walk freely. “If I had the powers, because I know we as politicians are involved in this mess, action would be taken. We are not equal, others do not want public office, but when as a politician you seek votes to represent people and then you become part of the mess at Land Board is sad. Please help us chairman. The law should demand that we as politicians and all seeking political office, it starts with us,” he said. Rakgare said after he learnt that politicians are involved, he called for the cases to be reported. He said such leaders cannot be trusted. Meanwhile, Rakgare called on the Land Board and residents to talk through the issues. “Some innocent people bought plots from these thugs unknowingly. They did their best and did not even know that the certificates were fake and found themselves in this mess. I do not believe such people should also be disadvantaged, we should find a way to assist them,” he said. Rakgare said until land grabbers fill up prisons, there will never be an end to the matter.
He said there is a land near Nkoyaphiri football field where some people have been allocated land without any trace of them having applied in 1993 as those still waiting. Rakgare warned that if these issues are not resolved, a fight will ensue over the issues. “One day, the Mogoditshane boys who use the playground will fight the owners of these plots because they go through the field to enter their homes. That is how a fight will start and we do not want to get there. I am worried we are slow to take action,” he said. He said it is important to know that children have a right to find land where they can play when they are born. He said it was not right that Mogoditshane is currently filled with businesses and industries leaving no room for children to play. “That is because some of us are busy working with outsiders to sell the land to outsiders. We are not thinking of our children. We should develop also looking into the future,” he said.
Rakgare said some aspiring politicians who stole the land should not be ignored. He called on Kgang to investigate former officer bearers of the Mogoditshane Sub Land Board. “You should also allow for yourself to be investigated as well. All of us in power should be assessed as to whether we are representing people honestly, it is sad to note that even our Kgosi Prince Dihutso does not have a plot. He stays at his parents’ home. But we have those seeking political office who amassed plots from people. Legislators, councillors and Dikgosi if they are involved,” he said. The minister pleaded that action should be taken. “The DCEC, DIS, Police and court should work. The cases should be broadcast on live television so that land thieves can be exposed. If we do not do that, we will never find a lasting solution to the matter,” he said.