24 Jan 2016

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism has acknowledged a report that appeared on Mmegi Newspaper of Friday 15 January, Vol 33, No. 08, headlined Police, Wildlife Officers Implicated In Illegal Fishing.

According to a press release from the ministry, in December 2015, they received a report from the Director, Department of Wildlife and National Parks ( DNWP) informing them of allegations of illegal fishing by some of the department’s staff in Lake Ngami.

It says the allegation had come from a member of the public and following the report, the ministry has instituted investigations into the allegations.

“The investigations have to date not led to any arrests or conclusive evidence of illegal fishing by those implicated and the ministry has committed resources to finding the truth regarding these allegations,” says the release.

It further says the ministry wishes to assure the public, media and all interested parties that it is fully committed to ensuring the conservation and management of wildlife and fish resources in the country.

“It would not condone any behaviour that threatens the government‘s ability to protect wildlife resources and emphasised that it is an offence for any officer in the public service to be involved in any criminal activity,” says the release.

The release states that illegal fishing is a criminal activity which will be dealt with accordingly as per the law and it will also attract disciplinary measures under the Public Service Act and the General Orders.

“To end this we would like to invite any person with information that can assist in the investigations to come forward and the Ministry will always be open to the public when dealing with these matters,” state the release.

It further says until now they have not instituted any disciplinary measures against any staff member for the offense as investigations into the allegations have not been completed. Ends