Compulsory Land Acqusition And Compensation In Botswana: The Case Of Pitsane-Tlhareseleele Road Project

Purpose: There is a general consensus from previous researches that major challenges caused by compulsory acquisition internationally include lack of compensation or where compensation is offered, it is either inadequate or delayed. The purpose of this study therefore was to contribute to the existing academic debate in land acquisition and compensation by establishing if there is consistency in compulsory acquisition and expropriation policy and practice in Botswana. Approach/Design: A case study approach was adopted and Pitsane- Tlhareseleele road project was chosen. A total of twenty-two (22) displaced people and eight (8) Planning Officers, four (4) from Rolong Land Board and four (4) from Good Hope Council were interviewed. Cording of interview results was done manually. Interpretation and analysis of data was made easier by the use of SPSS to present the data. Results/Findings: Results of this study established policy-practice gaps in the calculation of compensation in Botswana. The statutory and policy frameworks provide for a consensus-based compensation approach but the displaced people ‘lamented’ that the valuation method which was used by compensation authority was not transparent. Practical Limitation: The major limitation of this study is that it was based on a single case study with a limited number of affected people. Practical Implication: Results of this study can help to inform policy and practice on compulsory land acquisition in Botswana. It can also contribute to the existing academic debate on compulsory acquisition of land and compensation. Originality/Value of Work: This study is one of the few works which contributes to the existing debate on compulsory land acquisition in Botswana.