08 Dec 2024

Some town planners misconduct course for concern.

Thus said deputy director of the Department of Town and Country Planning, Mr Gopolang Mogotsi in response to complaints from the private sector that some government planners not only robbed them, but also pushed them out of business.

Mr Mogotsi expressed concerns during the just-ended general meeting for planners in Maun, adding that some public planners were engaged in some fraudulent practices including forging clients’ signatures and stealing their certificates and documents.

He cited ongoing cases at Selebi Phikwe and Tonota in which the department was forced to refer the matters to the police, noting that it was worrisome that some people failed to register with Pula Institute of Town Planners (PITP) upon graduating and instead forge others’ certificates, something he termed a serious crime.

“This is totally bad and it is not only unethical, but also compromised the quality of products and services. We have observed that some planners forged documents and claimed to be surveyors,” said Mr Mogotsi, noting that one of the clients who reported the incident to the department claimed that he paid P20 000 for the service.

He warned planners to refrain from such activities, warning them that if found guilty one could be fined or face custodial sentence. 

Planners were encouraged to uphold professional ethics and re-dedicate themselves to the cause of the profession, which aimed to improve the lives of the people.

Mr Mogotsi also apprised the meeting on spatial planning projects and reforms, citing some spatial plans that were approved in October by the minister pending gazetting.

The project, undertaken under the Transitional National Development Plan include Maun Development Plan, Oodi-Mmamashia Master Plan, Gaborone Central Business Development (CBD) Master Plan and Good Hope District Rural Cluster Plan 2036, among others.

The Maun Development Plan, he said, was influenced by the National Spatial Plan and ‘this is a beautiful plan, if implemented as it is, we will see real green model town in Maun. The plan has created concepts of walking to work, recreational facilities and no use of cars when around urban corridors’.

With regard to the Gaborone CBD Master Plan, Mr Mogotsi noted that the area was active during the day and the plan intended to make the area to be active 24/7.

The plan, he said, had identified projects that should make Gaborone a real city of stature, lamenting that currently there was nothing to show as a landmark in Gaborone. 

Furthermore, he shared National Development Plan (NDP)12 spatial plans as well as policy and legislative reforms, most of which he said were executive initiated mainly through the State of the Nation Address.

Earlier on, PITP president, Mr Nyaladzi Tema said the meeting, which attracted planners across the country and outside the border as well as stakeholders from diverse fields, was vital to exchange ideas and come up with solutions that could better serve the country.

“Together we will engage in a meaningful dialogue aimed at advancing our shared vision of sustainable national development. It is important to reflect on the crucial role of urban planning in meeting the housing needs of our communities, ensuring that solutions we discuss are equitable, inclusive and sustainable,” he added.

Planners, he said must acknowledge the responsibility they carried, ensuring that cities were not only functional, but also resilient, adaptable and capable of accommodating the diverse needs of the people.

Furthermore, Mr Tema pointed out that the government had demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainable development guided by Vision 2036 and the NDPs, which prioritised the welfare of the citizens, efficient resource management and sustainable growth.

Planners, he said, were the key drivers of that vision aimed towards transforming policies into actionable plans and ensuring that towns and cities evolved in a manner that was beneficial to all. Ends