05 Nov 2017

Erection of the new Khumaga-Seokwane cordon fence commenced on March 6 and was planned to be completed on June 26.

Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama said this at Ntlo ya Dikgosi on November 1.

Mr Khama stated that to date, 68km had been debushed, 63.9km graded and 3.3km of fence erected.

The minister said there were challenges which affected progress of the construction of the fence, as during consultations it was realised that there would be properties which would be affected by the re-alignment of the fence.

“This necessitated compensation assessment of all the affected properties along the fence line, and the exercise is still ongoing as more people are coming forward,” he said.

He mentioned that the construction company encountered delays on his works as some farmers put up fences across the re-alignment, blocking the contractor’s progress and leading to the expiry of the contract before completion of the fence.

Minister Khama said the contract was being negotiated for extension and responsible ministries were addressing the imminent land issues and contractual obligations for the project progress.

“Currently, there are no plans to rehabilitate the cordon fence from Seokwane III to Tantika as it is not budgeted for under NDP 11,” he said.

Minister Khama was responding to a question asked by Kgosi Nguvauva Salatiel Nguvauva III who wanted him to explain what was delaying the erection of the new Khumaga-Seokwane cordon fence, given that the old one had been removed.

In addition, Kgosi Nguvauva III wanted the minister to further state if he would consider constructing the anticipated cordon fence from Khumaga to Tantika, instead of Khumaga to Seokwane because the Tantika cordon fence was in a bad state of repair and was not electrified, therefore failing to control movement of animals.

Meanwhile, members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi were informed that marriage between serving members of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is legal and is allowed.

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi said on November 1 that already there are military officers and soldiers who are married.

 “The BDF is made up of cadres, Commissioned Officers and the Non Commissioned Officers. Within the commissioned officers, there are 10 legally married couples whereas within the non-commissioned officers there are three legally married couple,” he said.

“What is prohibited in the military culture and tradition is the cross marriages and relationships between senior officers and junior officers, and members of the commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers.”

Kgathi said that was regulated by the Fraternisation and Sexual Harassment Policy Para 4.3.1, which outlined thet personal relations between commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers/enlisted members that did not respect differences in rank were prohibited.

Such, relationships he said, were prejudicial to good order and discipline and violate long standing traditions of the military service.

Mr Kgathi was responding to a question asked by Kgosi Kgomotso Boiditswe of Serowe Region who wanted the minister to explain whether marriage between male soldiers and their female counterparts was allowed. ENDS