20 May 2018

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has informed Moremaoto residents that plans were underway to resolve the issue of human/wildlife conflict.

The Vice President said he was aware of the residents’ outcry with regard to human/wildlife conflict and was appreciative that they had been understanding and considerate.

Government, he said, had been working on establishing interventions that could be employed to curb human/wildlife conflict.

About Makgadikgadi/Nxai Pan fence that would separate the community from wildlife, he said the issue had taken time to reach a resolution, but said that it would be addressed.

Mr Tsogwane said the contractor, who was engaged to erect the fence alongside Makgadikgadi/Nxai Pan National Park, had lodged a case and was currently at mediation stage.

Chief representative, Mr Michael Masheto had complained that lions killed their livestock and exhibits got destroyed before the case could be attended to.

For her part, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo advised public officers to upscale customer service standards, noting that members of the public deserved to be treated with due diligence when serving them.

Moremaoto Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Selepeng Jackson proposed that Department of Wildlife and National Parks should engage national service officers to assess wildlife damages and keep exhibits records on behalf of the department.

Ms Jackson complained about lack of accommodation for public officers, adding that there was no social welfare officer and a police officer in Moremaoto.

She also suggested that VDC rental fees should be deducted directly from public officers’ salaries.

For his part, Mr Bob Mabeo complained about the fields located on the riverbed, which were confiscated, incapacitating them from farming.

Ms Dikeledi Kebatetswe expressed concern that Department of Wildlife and National Parks took long to pay compensation fees for damages by wild animals.

One resident, Mr Kelebonye Dishara complained about poor service provision and exorbitant water bills from Water Utilities Cooperation, saying he was not given any explanation as to why his bills were high.

Mr John Kepaletswe reiterated that the contractor who was awarded the tender to erect the fence failed to meet completion date.

He also said  national service officers did not have expertise in assessing damages done by wild animals.

Orapa Police Sation commander, Supt. Kebaitse Molefe said there was no police officer at the rank of sergeant in Moremaoto due to lack of accommodation. ENDS