09 Aug 2020

Contrasting opinions were expressed in the National Assembly when debate on the motion requesting government to consider re-arming the Department of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism continued on August 7.

The motion, presented by Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana, drew different reactions with parliamentarians from the governing party largely against while those from the opposition  argued in favour.

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, impressed upon Parliament that the department had always been allowed to carry weapons, but the nature of the threat posed by poaching required more capabilities.

He said poaching was an aggressive, highly sophisticated and military-style procedure linked to money laundering and illicit financial transactions and would thus require a comprehensive response.

Mr Mmusi said poaching of rhinos had seen a sharp rise since 2018 and government was working on examining the root causes in order to address the challenge holistically.

At the behest of Leader of the Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, parliamentary counsel Ms Merapelo Mokgosi read out Section 73 (3) of the Wildlife, Conservation and National Parks Act, which empowers wildlife officers to carry firearms, including different types of ammunition if so directed by director of the department.

Mr Saleshando said this strengthened the case for arming of wildlife officers with automated weapons in order to fight poaching, and urged opponents of the motion to reconsider their stance since their main argument had been that wildlife officers were not empowered by law to carry such weapons.

But the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, told Parliament that the clause allowed use of different amourment, but with provisions such as ‘where it is necessary for the discharge of the officer’s duties’ and ‘where the director so directs.’

He said the nature of the battle against poaching required the use of officers that were fully equipped without any restricting provisions, the reason by which the Botswana Defence Force was engaged in anti-poaching duty while government explored ways of legally empowering the wildlife department.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi, said rise in poaching of species such as rhino  was owing to the disarming of the Anti-Poaching Unit and that wildlife officers were being demoralised by being relieved of their core duty of protecting the environment that included dealing with poaching. ENDS