BOTSWANA 6. Ministry of Lands & Housing Category 1 - WEBSITE www.mlh.gov.bw/ Although the website looks well organized, some relevant information is missing, for instance, the organisational structure and the responsibilities of the Ministry remain unclear to the user. The website also contains old information, there are articles from 2012 but nothing on 2013. n = 20 Yes No Partial 1. Does this website contain up to date information? Additional Information • Last published on 9th July 2012 • Unclear 2. Does the website contain: a) A description of its powers as well as data on the organisational structure, the functions, and the responsibilities of the administration? b) A list of laws, acts etc. issued within the scope of its powers. • c) Reports, policies, programs? • • d) Budget and expenditure? e) Information about procurement procedures, signed contracts? • • f) Vacancies and employment procedures? g) The name, the address, the telephone number and the working hours of the respective institution? • h) The contact details of public officials? • i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages and requests for information? • No working hours Contact us function Total Score: 15/20 Category 2: Requests for Information The following questions were sent to the Ministry of Lands & Housing 1. It is on record that citizens do not receive acknowledgement of receipt for their land applications. What is the process of applying for land allocation/ plots? 2. Does the Ministry have any plans to minimise the waiting period especially that some people have waited for over 12 years for land allocation? 3. Who is responsible for monitoring how landlords charge his/her tenants on a rental basis? n = 20 1.Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) No • Additional Information Public Relations Officer 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) • 3. Did the Institution respond to a request for information? • 4. Does the authority publish its procedures for dealing with information requests? • 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’, indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) • 6. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact the institution to find out what the policy is in this regard –if the institution supplies written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) • 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? • 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? • Total Score: 2/20 16 Yes