05 Feb 2017

The Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse says the 247km long cordon fence between Ngamiland and Ghanzi is not in a state of disrepair.

Responding to a question in Ntlo Ya Dikgosi recently, Mr Autlwetse said there were, however, some portions of the fence that needed major maintenance due to damage by elephants.

He also said the fence line had been divided into three sections according to the level of the risks, adding the 159 km Mokaukau to Kuke gate was high risk fence and therefore given maximum maintenance attention hence its good condition.

He said the 40 km fence between Kuke and Tsau gates was medium risk.

“Although the fence is vandalised by elephants when they cross to their drinking pool in the CKGR, it is frequently attended to.

Currently, my ministry is applying chilli pepper baits on the fence to deter elephants,” he said.

Mr Autlwetse also told Ntlo ya Dikgosi that there were also plans to place shade nets on the fence and leave passages for elephants to pass.

Further, the asistant minister said the 48 km fence between Tsau gate and Dikhona was a low risk portion because it was bordered by the CKGR on the Ghanzi side and Hainaveld game farms on the Ngamiland side.

“This is because there are no cattle on both sides of the fence. However, this fence needs major maintenance,” he added.

Kgosi Justice Moseki of Ghanzi had wanted to know if the minister was aware that the fence from Kuke to Kuke gate was in a state of disrepair and if so, when the minister intended to repair it. BOPA