05 May 2016

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has warned Moremaoto residents against prolonging fence installation issue.

Minister Tsogwane said during a kgotla meeting on Tuesday in Moremaoto that this could lead to wastage of time whilst exposing their livestock to danger.

He informed the residents that they did have the right to make a choice by either fencing the river or not, saying they should however be wary of the consequences if it was not installed.

Mr Tsogwane explained that minister Tshekedi Khama had proposed that the fence should be installed on the side of the village away from the river to restrict movement of endangered species into the village.

He stated that if the park remained unfenced buffaloes would gain entrance into the village and cause Foot and Mouth Disease.

The fence he said was damaged by some members of the village by stealing the solar panels that were installed on the fence to scare away animals.

Mr Tsogwane said their request which was a written document, was stating the government’s proposal to the residents and therefore fencing should not be a difficult task.

He noted that it was also essential to make consultations with members of the community with regard to where cordon fence pegs would be installed.

He stated that the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism was still working out a plan to pilot human/wildlife co-existence.

Mr Tsogwane said it was critical to establish and devise methods in which human/wildlife co-existence could be implemented without any conflicts.

With regard to compensation for livestock killed and goods damaged by predators he said it should be adequate enough to cover for the damages made to allow farmers to replace damaged goods.

He was responding to Moremaoto residents who demanded a formal letter stipulating the projects that government proposed for the village as Boteti River would be fenced on the side of the village.

One of the residents Mr Kgomotso Matsiara said all they required from government was a written formal letter stating the list of projects proposed for the village.

Mr Matsiara said they were against information communicated through word of mouth as it had already happened.

He also expressed concern that there was also lack of proper consultation with the residents as to where the pegs should be located prior to fence installation.

Another resident, Mr Chakona Leso reiterated what was said by Mr Matsiara stating that the delegation sent by minister Tshekedi Khama communicated with them only by word of mouth as opposed to formal writing.

Mr Mosweu Molatlhiwa also a resident, said there was lack of consultation with them, stating that they did not agree that the cordon fence should be moved from where it was currently.

 The Village Development Committee chairperson Ms Selepeng Jackson also reiterated that there was lack of consultation with the delegation carrying out fence installation issue with the residents.

Ms Jackson also stated that wild animals were preying on their livestock.

She complained that there were dilapidated toilets at the local primary school, stating that children were compelled to use the outside area and that poses a health risk to livestock.

In addition she said there was lack of transport and electricity at the clinic.  Ms Jackson said there was lack of transport at the tribal administration office and requested a bridge to Francistown/Maun. Ends