03 Jul 2014

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake has told Parliament that he is aware that Moremi Game Reserve was established in 1963 by Batawana and administered on behalf of the tribe by Ngamiland Fauna Conservation Society.


He said in the advent of the establishment of land boards the custody of all tribal land was vested on the land boards.


In addition, the minister said he was also aware that Moremi Game Reserve was under the management of the Fauna Conservation Society until October 1979 when its administration was handed over to government.


Mr Mokalake said, currently, the resources in all game reserves and national parks in the country were managed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks while land authorities manage the land and are responsible for issuing land rights to interested parties.


He said he is aware of Regulation 20 (4) of the tribal land regulations which provides that as long as the customary rights in respect of a piece of land subsist no grant of that land shall be made which would conflict with such right without the consent of their owner.


The minister stated that this regulation is not applicable in this case because as already stated all the rights and title over Moremi Game Reserve  is vests  with the land board.


Mr Mokalake said he was also aware that the Ngamiland Fauna Conservation Society was a customary incorporation of the Batawana tribe.


However he said while the game reserve was established by Batawana the manner in which it was administered and managed then has been overtaken by events.


He said as a result the management and administration of tribal land and the flora and fauna in the game reserve are now managed by the Tawana Land Board in collaboration with the Department of wildlife and National Parks respectively.


MP for Maun West Mr Tawana Moremi had asked the minister if he is aware that as of 1963, the land known as Moremi Game Reserve had been allocated and grant made (Tawana Land Board minutes of 20/03/ 1975).


He further asked if he was aware that the land known as Moremi Game Reserve was under the control of the Fauna Conservation Society (Tawana land board minutes of 6-7 February 1978).


The MP asked if he was aware that tribal land regulations section 20 (4) required consent of the owner of rights over Moremi Game Reserve for any grants over the land and the Fauna Conservation Society is a customary Incorporation of Batawana tribe. Ends