16 May 2016

Some garden owners in the Monarch West ward, whose gardens were recently invaded by stray cattle that adversely destroyed them, will soon receive compensation.

The three elderly farmers, Ms Siphelele Bakwinya, Ms Akanyang Seaparo and Ms Thapelo Moses met with the owner of the stray cattle that destroyed their crops in their gardens situated on the Tati River bank.

The owner of the cattle, Mr Ntwaetsile Sechele agreed to go on a tour of the affected gardens with their owners in an effort to assess the damage caused by his livestock at the affected gardens.

Mr Sechele showed remorse after seeing the extent of the damage caused by his livestock and in an interview,  one of the affected garden owners, Ms Seaparo stated that originally they wanted to be compensated P2000 each for their damaged crops but the cattle owner pleaded for reduction of the compensation.

"Since our issue was reported at the Monarch Customary Court, we decided it was best we ask Kgosi's mediation on the matter and the Monarch deputy court president, Kgosi Chama Montshiwa deliberated on the matter.

Through our negotiations with Mr Sechele, we ended up going down to as much as P700 each as compensation," Ms Moses added.

She said the issue was not all about gaining large monitory funds for their destroyed gardens but was also to show the spirit of togetherness, peace and dialogue among Batswana.

In an interview, Kgosi Gunny Moses expressed his delight at the way the issue ended, saying  the court’s time was spared and everyone was happy. ENDS