11 Apr 2021

Lake Ngami squatter fishermen have been given up to April 21 to have vacated the area.

Addressing the fishermen, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)-Sehithwa assistant head of station, Mr Moses Masaise said the decision to ask the fishermen to vacate the area was because fishing was currently suspended at Lake Ngami.

The meeting with fishermen followed joint consultation by the Lake Ngami Conservation Trust, DWNP, Sehithwa Police and the village leadership at the lake on April 8.

However, Mr Masaise said the public would be informed through the lake custodians, the Lake Ngami Conservation Trust once the fishing ban had been lifted.

“The department is still in discussions with the Lake Ngami custodians as to when fishing will be reinstated,” he said.

He also emphasised that fishermen were required to have valid licenses, which were acquired through raffle.

Lake Ngami Conservation Trust manager, Mr Tuelo Bapedi also indicated that any fishing activity during the ban period was illegal and they, as the lake custodians, had not been given quotas by the wildlife and national parks department.

Mr Bapedi also explained that presence of fishermen at the site presented environmental challenges since there were no structures in place for waste disposal.

Sehithwa police Assistant Superintendent Moutlwatsi Ikobeng said it was unlawful for fishermen to be fishing without licenses, hence they should use the two-week period to get ready to leave fishing camps before law enforcers could evacuate them.

Assistant Supt Ikobeng also said such unlawful gathering was not advisable, particularly during COVID-19.

He also said police were concerned about possible criminal activities that may arise from such gatherings, including cases of missing persons and assault.

In their comments, some fishermen said they appreciated the peaceful engagement from government officials and the trust.

One fisherman, Mr Kennedy Lekhuru said some of them resorted to fishing at Lake Ngami because they lost jobs from the tourism industry due to COVID-19.

Another angler, Mr Galebotse Sekonga said he used to offer boat excursions at the Okavango Delta before the advent of COVID-19.

Mr Sekonga said though they were trying to make a living, they did not have an excuse to engage in illegal fishing and would vacate the area. Ends