15 Jun 2023

Residents of Komana village, in the Ngamiland District have requested government to consider replacing property damaged by wildlife and livestock devoured by predators instead of monetary compensation.

They contend that compensation given to them was not equivalent to the market value of their livestock and property.

Residents aired their views during a kgotla meeting addressed by area MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando in Komana Wednesday.

They argued that most of them had responded positively to government’s plea to take agriculture seriously and ensure food availability following the devastating effects of COVID- 19, but their efforts were frustrated by wild animals, particularly elephants and predators.

Wild animals, they said, had increased and were intruding into human settlements, causing havoc. 

They urged government to strike a balance between tourism and agriculture so that both sectors equally benefitted the community.

For instance, a residents, Mr Tenacious Kangate said small stock such as goats or sheep were compensated with P150 while government purchased it for P1 000 for the LIMID programme, a disparity that he said was caursing concern.

He also complained about compensation for measurement of ploughing fields, saying the money could neither buy fence nor poles.

The delay in compensation, he said, also worsened the situation, adding that, ‘we will end up being destitute despite efforts by government to avail good agricultural initiatives aimed to empower and better our lives.”

Mr Gaolatlheope Nyame concurred that government should suspend monetary compensation and replace damaged property. 

Some residents, he said, were committed to effectively utilising  their lands to improve food security, hence government should take the compensation issue seriously and accede to their plea.

“Some of us have ventured and invested into irrigation farming projects and the elephants keep on frustrating our efforts by destroying our equipment and machinery. 

Agriculture is a source of food for every household and if we do it properly there will be no more hunger and starvation,” he added.

For his part, MP Saleshando said he was equally concerned with low compensation and supported the proposal that the property damaged should be replaced. 

Traditionally, he said Batswana depended on ploughing and rearing of livestock to earn a living, hence agriculture should be prioritised to reduce poverty.

He stressed the need to find solutions, which could promote peaceful co-existence between human and wildlife.

On other issues, Mr Saleshando updated the meeting about the ongoing demarcation of poling district exercise, which involved the division of constituencies into polling districts for purposes of electing representatives to councils or Parliament.

The exercise is done in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act and it will pave the way for the national voters’ registration before the end of the year. ends