16 Jan 2019

The Vice  President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, says a report on  human/wildlife conflict will be released soon.

Mr Tsogwane, who was addressing kgotla meeting in Mmadikola and Toromoja in his Boteti West constituency on January 14, said a team of ministers was sent across the country to seek public ideas and opinions on how issues surrounding human/wildlife conflict could be addressed.

Human wildlife conflict, he said, was exacerbated by introduction of the hunting ban leading to multiplication of wild animals.

Ultimately, Mr Tsogwane said the animals especially elephants destroyed people’s property and even killed people.

One of the residents, Mr Sebetwane Boima requested that government should  replace his farm fence which was allegedly destroyed by elephants.

Mr Boima further pleaded with government to control animal movement.

Another resident, Ms Galeboife Molatlhegi alleged that elephants damaged  her crops in 2016 but was never compensated.

In response Mr Dimakatso Ntshebe, regional wildlife officer central, reiterated that a report on human/wildlife conflict would soon be presented to cabinet.

Regarding procedure in compensating farmers, Mr Ntshebe said compensation of goods damaged by wild animals was only in the form of cash as opposed to replacement of damaged goods.

The Village Development Committee chairperson in Mmadikola, Mr Keoagile Sebako, requested for  IDCC room at the health post, health education assistant and a nurse.

In response Ms Rosalia Maseba from District Health Management Team(DHMT) said  Mmadikola health post  had two posts for nursing officers, but would request for an additional nurse.

Ms Maseba said they used to have two health education assistants but one retired and funds were frozen, leaving the establishment with one post.

Meanwhile, in Toromoja the VDC chairperson,, Ms Cecilia Ndjavera, requested for a power network expansion, expansion of administration block and a kgotla shelter. Ends