25 Mar 2025

Tawana Land Board has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the illegal self-demarcation of residential plots, labeling the act as a punishable offense under the Tribal Land Act.

In a press briefing recently to  update on the status of plot  demarcation for the Maun Sub Land Boar, Ms Reamogetswe Yakenge, chairperson of Tawana Land Board noted a concerning rise in illegal self-demarcation activities in the Polokabatho, Matsaudi, and Mochaba areas. Many individuals have been under the assumption that the board would recognise and allocate these illegally claimed plots, a notion she firmly disputed.

“We urge the public to cease this practice immediately to avoid facing the consequences. Such actions undermine our efforts toward effective land administration,”she said.

The chairperson emphasised that the land board had established thorough procedures for plot allocations, which must be adhered to by all applicants. 

Illegal self-demarcation can result in a fine of P20,000 or a two-year imprisonment, and she implored residents to refrain from these actions. 

“This is not a proper way to acquire land. People need to be patient,” she said, adding that it was troubling to receive complaints from residents requesting the board to recognise individuals who have fenced or constructed structures on unlawfully claimed land, claiming they have nowhere else to stay.

Ms Yakenge reminded the community that they had previously compensated affected individuals for land acquired for the Maun expansion project in Polokabatho.

The situation was exacerbated by an announcement on the Maun Sub Land Board’s Facebook page that the board would demarcate 2 300 plots by April 2025. 

She urged the public to recognise that the land board was committed to allocating land through proper channels, aiming to enhance land delivery initiatives that support socio-economic development in the North West district.

As part of their ongoing efforts, Ms Yakenge confirmed that the Maun Sub Land Board plans to demarcate a total of 2 330 plots by the end of April 2025. 

The new plots will be distributed across several locations: Phuduhudu (490 plots), Shorobe (241 plots), Sankoyo (233 plots), Samedupi (441 plots), and Polokabatho (850 plots), with 75 plots planned for Mochaba, currently undergoing profiling.

Demarcation has already commenced in Phuduhudu.

 Upon completion, survey records will be forwarded to the Department of Surveys and Mapping for examination and approval. 

Following approval, the registration process will move to the Deeds Registry and the Land Information System.

Additionally, Yakenge expressed hope for the approval of the Maun Development Plan (2023-2043), which includes a proposal for the allocation of 10 000 plots. She emphasised that Maun had been designated as a planning area, necessitating that all allocations, including residential plots, be pre-planned prior to their distribution.ENDS