14 May 2013

Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama says maintenance of the Makgadikgadi drift fence will safeguard the EU beef market and improve livelihoods of the community.

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Khumaga last week, the minister noted that the fence was no longer serving its purpose, as it allows elephants, buffaloes and other carnivores to move freely and end up troubling farmers while on the other hand, livestock also gain access into the park.

The minister said the situation does not only affect farmers but also poses the threat of spreading foot and mouth (FMD) disease. Minister Khama said the fence was powered with solar energy and served farmers well as they were able to plough and rear livestock without being troubled by wild animals, adding that trouble only started after criminals stole the solar panels that were used to for the fence.

He said it was now impossible to maintain the electric fence because the Boteti River, along which the fence runs, is now filled with water after many years of dryness.   

He explained that government’s position was to realign the fence so that it runs parallel to the river. He said the proposed adjustment of the fence would leave the river on the side of the Makgadikgadi National Park.

The Minister further stated that pending maintenance of the fence, the BMC abattoir in Francistown would not slaughter for the EU market. 

He said since the destroyed fence allows free movement of livestock into the communal area, EU wanted proof as to how it would be impossible for FMD to spread into 4A zone.

Buffaloes also moved freely into communal areas, he noted.

Government was under pressure to satisfy the EU requirements within three months from the last inspection.

The idea of moving the fence from the water stream would not only benefit government, but the community as a whole as it would address the human/wildlife conflict and retain confidence of the beef market, he said.

The minister also said government was aware that the anticipated move would disturb the traditional lifestyle of the community as they use the river as a source of water and food.

He said maintenance of the fence would be done as a matter of urgency to satisfy EU requirements and safeguard the beef industry, which many Batswana are dependent on.  

The minister said consultations would be made with the community to assess if the anticipated position of the fence would disturb their lifestyle.

Minister Khama noted that efforts made in the past to maintain the fence were never successful as it was continuously brought down by elephants and as such proved costly. Meanwhile, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Micus Chimbombi said farmers affected by the proposed development would be assisted to draw water from the river because the aim was not to disturb their lifestyle but to assist them. 

He said a decision must be taken to prepare for a better future that would benefit both the agriculture and tourism sectors. ENDS