16 Aug 2015

Kgosi Boitiro Dithapo of Sehithwa village has expressed concern over the P200 fine for illegal fishing, which he says is very little.

Speaking in an interview recently, he said that illegal fishing at Lake Ngami is increasing at an alarming rate. He complained that culprits are fined P200 only, without an option for corporal punishment or an imprisonment term.

Kgosi Dithapo lamented that the fine is not a deterrent hence the high number of illegal fishing cases. He said that the Sehithwa Customary Court receives more than five cases of this nature weekly.

“If the fine could be increased to P600 or more, this illegal fishing will stop,” he said. He said police and wildlife officers are patrolling the lake day and night trying to control the situation.

However, Kgosi Dithapo applauded residents of Sehithwa and surrounding areas for not being involved in the crime. Meanwhile, the chairperson of Lake Ngami Conservation Trust Mr Frisco Gabokakangwe told BOPA that they are in the process of constructing fishing camps, camping sites and trust offices.

He urged people to be patient as the lake will be opened during the next fishing season in 2016. Furthermore, Mr Gabokakangwe said those who are involved in illegal fishing will not be issued with licences for the next fishing season.  He said the closure of the lake is meant to preserve the lake. ENDS