14 May 2014

The residents of Mosu cattle post in the Tonota
 North constituency have decried the rate at which people from other areas cut 
trees in their area for firewood.

Speaking in 
a kgotla meeting addressed by the area MP, Mr Fidelis Molao on Monday, May 12, Mosu 
residents’ representative, Mr Thebeng Molelowakgotla lamented that vehicles 
from the neighbouring villages collected firewood in their area.

Mr Molelowakgotla
said what was of great concern was that live trees were cut and loaded on such 
vehicles. He said the residents observed that up to 10 loads were collected 
daily from the area.

He said he 
was suspicious that some of the people who collected the firewood were not 
licensed to do so as in most cases they refused to stop when the residents 
tried to find out.

He further said 
although the Department of Range Resources and Forestry advised them to record 
the registration numbers of the vehicles that collected firewood, it was not
 bearing any fruits as the vehicles continued to make daily collections.

He requested 
the MP to suggest to the department to make unannounced operations in the area 
in order to apprehend such culprits. He also complained that their cattle post 
had been turned into a dumping area as some vehicles dump waste in the area.

Mr Molelowakgotla 
said what was disheartening was that used disposal nappies were also dumped in 
the area and they posed danger to their livestock.

Another 
resident, Mr Kuda Ramaotwana observed that some people employed as herdsmen in
 the area cut trees and sell them to people from afar. He noted that in one 
instance, he discovered that a resident of Jamataka had organised the herdsmen
 to cut live trees and when they dried he came to collect for selling.

Ms 
Molelowakgotla complained of the Botswana Police delay in attending to reported 
cases. She cited that even when the residents phoned the police to report when 
they saw somebody selling meat the police never responded.

In response,
assistant superintendent Bailang Ntogang noted that they were faced with acute
 shortage of transport that resulted in attending to some reports late. He,
however, assured the residents that they will continue to assist them with the 
little resources they had.

Mr Molao 
said the government was concerned about felling of trees hence the licensing 
of fire wood collection. He appealed to the residents to continue recording the 
registration numbers of vehicles that collected firewood from their area. He 
assured them he will take up their concern with relevant department. ENDS