The Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs, Dr Ponts’o Sekatle says it is the responsibility of every mosotho to use and manage land properly.

This she said during her official opening speech of a two day land forum held for stakeholders on land use management held at community hall in Qacha’s nek on Wednesday.

The Minister noted that in the past land was properly used and managed under the leadership of principal chiefs and area chiefs.

She said back then, the land was allocated for agriculture, housing and for cemetery unlike now when everything is done haphazardly.

Dr Sekatle said nowadays land is being destroyed in many ways that include burning of ranges and land.

She said chiefs and community councilors have been given the authority to allocate and manage the land in their areas and therefore should be respected by community members.

The minister further appealed to all attendants to leave the forum with clear ideas on how they will tackle problems that are encountered on land allocation, use and management in their areas.

Also speaking, Land Survey and Physical Planning (LSSP) Chief Physical Planner, Mrs. ‘Masetori Makhetha said proper planning of land enables developments like construction of roads and shops to be easily made.

She said lack of planning by land users is one of the factors that contribute to misuse of land.

Some of the participants expressed need for policies that would ensure that there is land for agriculture and for housing. They also requested that LSPP officials be deployed countrywide to provide their expertise and make issuing of leases simple.

The forum is attended by among others, members of parliament, Senators, Principal Chiefs, District Administrators, District Council Chairpersons, Secretaries, traditional healers, initiators, farmers and parastatals from the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) and from the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) from Mafeteng, Mohale’s hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s nek.

Source: LENA 23/O1/2008