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11 Mar 2010 08:25
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06 Mar 2010 11:40
Edition 497 5 - 12 March, 2010
Flooded wellfield reason for water shortage
Botswana's remote Savuti Swamps has water for the first time in more than 27 years. This photo, taken by safari operator Alwyn Myburgh, shows the water entering the swamps from the Savuti Channel, which also last year flowed for the first time in decades. Heavy rain has fallen over many parts of northern Botswana as well as Namibia's Caprivi Strip, the eastern highlands of Angola and western Zambia, contributing to the likelihood of major flooding in many areas. On Sunday, the level of the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo had reached 4.92 metres, which is higher than at the same time in 2009 while the tributaries of the Cuvelai River in Angola are also in full spate. Storms over Maun at the weekend resulted in about 100mm of rain to bring the February total to 241mm. So far this month, there has been rainfall totalling 8.8mm.
By Molefi Manyepedza
Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.
That's the critical situation in large areas of Maun this week as the taps run dry for the umpteenth time in the past few weeks, despite Department of Water Affairs promises that the situation had been brought under control.
The department says a flooded and inaccessible Matsaudi wellfield is the reason why some parts of Maun have been without water since last Friday.
It has now managed to get an amphibious vehicle known as a Hippo Car operational in order to carry out an inspection.
The department's Maun manager, Mpateng Gojamang, was quoted in this newspaper on February 19 as saying the then-shortage was the result of a pipe burst . . . normally a full recovery of water to stand pipes takes some time. This week, irate business people and residents said they were fed up to the back teeth' with Maun's water supply, and one said: We have had some of the best rain in years. The water table is high, the river is flowing but the department appears incapable of doing their job by giving everyone a regular supply. It is time for a radical re-think of a very serious situation.
Bon Arrivee restaurant managing director Klaas Boll says he is very disappointed by the shortage of water.
He added: There is nothing I can do without water. I could not provide my customers with coffee and breakfast without water. I have had the embarrassment of having to ask customers to use toilets at the airport across the road and this has contributed to losing my good reputation. Boll has been bringing in water from his home to prepare meals and also to wash cutlery and crockery. Other restaurants and many businesses have also been seriously affected.
This is a Hippo Car, an amphibious craft used by the Department of Water Affairs to negotiate water in areas where ordinary vehicles cannot go. This vehicle was put into use late this week after having undergone urgent repairs at the local CTO as the department was unable to reach the flooded Matsaudi wellfield, the cause, it is believed, of Maun's lack of water.
In an interview, Water Affairs' Gojamang said the problem was caused by less water being pumped into the Wenela treatment pan.He admitted the department did not know what the problem was but it seems to emanate from the Matsaudi wellfield, which supplies the Wenela treatment plant, which is inaccessible due to flooding. We could not gain access to see what the problem could be as our amphibious Hippo Cars' were at the CTO for repairs, Gojamang added.
He said the problem would be rectified soon as the department had managed to get the amphibious vehicle back in operation.
NIGHTMARE FOR THE SICK
By Kemmonye Vanessa Gaelebalwe
Patients who want to see doctors at clinics in Ngamiland face their worst nightmare as it takes them days to finally have an appointment - and in some instances days pass without the appearance of a doctor at a clinic.
Maun is hard hit as a shortage of doctors has led to patients queuing for hours and having to go home without having been attended to. A visit to various clinics in Maun by The Ngami Times showed this to be correct.
At one clinic in Boseja recently, patients nearly turned violent as the clinic staff was unable to confirm whether a doctor would be available.
This is despite a recent government decision to station a resident doctor at clinics and to turn most health posts to clinic standards.
In an interview with The Ngami Times this week, the public relations officer for North West District Council (NWDC), Wada Motsamai, said that they are aware of the problem and doing their best to deal with the situation.
The main reason we do not have the right personnel is that people refuse to come and work in this district but doctors are better as compared to nurses who say that this area is far (from Gaborone or Francistown), she said.
Motsamai added that they use what is called the establishment registry, which states how many doctors are assigned to each district - if we are in need of 20 doctors and we are given only 5, there is nothing that we can do about it, she said.
Many doctors also resign as was the case with resident doctors stationed at Shorobe and Makalamabedi clinics. These two clinics have been without doctors for some time.
In order to deal with the problem, Motsamai said that the NWDC has divided the Ngami region into 8 clusters and the Okavango region into 9 clusters. These are made up of mother clinics and areas that surround a particular clinic.
Out of the 8 clusters in Ngami, only 5 have doctors on a daily basis while the other 3 only get doctors on a weekly basis.
In the Okavango, only 4 clusters are serviced by doctors but we do have nurses on ground at all clusters, she said.
A patient said that in order to get a chance to be seen by a doctor, she has to attend very early in the morning because the queues are always long. I don't mind waiting for the service all day if it's for my health. After all, late service is better than no service but it's difficult. We come here with different illness, some in more dire need of attention than others but we are all ill and we all need and want to be seen by a doctor.
She suggested that in order to deal with the long queues, the council should assign at least two doctors to each clinic and that clinics should be opened 24 hours because illnesses have no time frame.
Another patient said that no matter how much they complain about the situation, nothing is being done to try and improve it. They (council staff) go to private hospitals for medical attention, so they shouldn't say that they understand what we are going through, plus some of their doctors don't speak Setswana. They don't even speak English that well so there is always a communication breakdown between patients and doctor.
Her suggestion was that the government should send more students to study medicine outside the country and do more to make sure that these students come back to serve their nation instead of looking for greener pastures. Some have indicated that, in some instances, incompetence contributes to long queues. They also claim staff at clinics never start work on time - they usually start work at around 8.30 am instead of 73.0 and by noon they leave for lunch only to start again at 2.30 pm.
Another concern is that of the drug dispensary at the clinics. At times the clinic dispensary would be closed a whole day with no explanation.
Meanwhile a visit by The Ngami Times to a clinic in Maun showed that at 2.45 pm on a Wednesday, the doors were still locked. Some staff members could be seen inside the clinic drinking tea and busy chatting while patients waited outside.
Explosive device detonated near President's office
Government security forces on Wednesday detonated an explosive device discovered at a car park near the Office of the President in Gaborone. Vehicles and staff in many buildings in the government enclave were quickly moved from the area. Police said they were investigating the 8.30am incident. This discovery immediately followed a surveillance alert that resulted in the swift mobilisation of emergency response by police and other security forces who attended to the matter in accordance with in-place emergencies procedures, an official statement said. The police promised thorough investigations are ongoing to determine the nature and origin of the device. The statement calls on people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious devices or circumstances to the police. We shall, however, release such further information as we can, and when it is appropriate to do so. In the meantime, we would appeal to all members of the public to continue to exercise restraint, it added. President Ian Khama was this week visiting Australia.
Maun suicide rate spirals
Maun police and tribal leaders are grappling with spiraling incidents of suicide. Since the beginning of the year, 25 people have already taken their own lives.
Police CID Divisional Commander (North), Kesetsenao Tshweneetsile, says three students were among the dead. One committed suicide after failing his final examinations. More men commit suicide than do women. Some left suicide notes while others did not. Tshweneetsile said that from the suicide notes, police have found that people take their own lives because of money and social problems. He urged those who have problems to seek assistance from their families and counselors.
The public relations officer in the Ministry of Education, Nomsa Zuze, also urged students to talk to guidance and counseling teachers when they have problems.
Police Commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako said in Maun this week he was worried about the many murder and suicide cases in Maun, which he said appeared to be rife. Although these cannot be predicted, members of the public should always take it upon themselves to open channels of communication with their families whenever there are misunderstandings and see if they can assist in a way or seek help elsewhere, Tsimako told a kgotla meeting.
I call upon you, ladies, because it seems you are the most vulnerable, to always talk to relevant authorities and seek the intervention of social workers or community leaders so that they could try and assist by way of counselling and help you solve your problems, or if possible come out with solutions that will benefit yourselves and your partners, he said.
We cannot fight crime in isolation'
Police Commissioner: Thebeyame Tsimako
Kubung councillor Pelokgale Monyame, of Kubung ward, said there can never be any success in the fight against crime if people fight crime in isolation. Monyame told a Kgotla meeting addressed by Police Commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako this week that the absence of Maun's Neighbourhood Watch 911 at the important meeting to discuss crime was a cause for concern because they preach the gospel of fighting crime.
Patrick Penstone, chairman of 911, said this week we were not consulted nor were we invited to the meeting.
Monyame said: It is quite a big surprise that they are not here. We will never see our achievements if we can not join hands in the fight against crime.
If 911 choose to keep their distance from these important gatherings, how then are they going to work harmoniously with the police and members of the public?
He then told the meeting: People, you must be careful. Some of these organisations are just fake and are here to make business because they know people are very much interested in the purchasing of their walkie-talkies (radios). All they are interested in is making money, so you should wisely look into that and see if they are of any use to you. Monyame said while the police are doing a commendable job, they should try to work on their response time.
On many occasions the police had failed communities because they never arrived in time whenever they are called to crime scenes, giving petty excuses such as the unavailability of transport or their failure to locate crime scenes.
For their part, police cluster representatives told the commissioner that they always met with different challenges while on patrol. These include among cases of drug and substance abuse amongst the youth, illegal occupation of deserted houses by illegal immigrants, shebeens which operate till morning as well as a lack of street lighting in Maun. They have however come up with strategies for tackling challenges and have managed to address most of them with the assistance from police who have been deployed in their clusters to help curb escalating crime.
Tsimako expressed his concern about a spate of robberies which have taken place in Maun, more especially at local lodges and hotels where foreign tourists usually stay.
He described these robberies as a complete shame and continue to give the country a very bad name internationally looking at the fact that Maun is a tourist destination which is always busy and frequented by the elite from all spheres to boost our economy which boasts of its flora and fauna. He blamed people who, he said, fuelled crime because they buy stolen property from criminals and sell them at give away prices while such property had cost the owners a fortune. You also have a tendency of dropping charges soon after making reports that must be avoided, regardless of whether your partners plead with you to do so because they always come back for revenge after they had been remanded in police cells he said refering to ladies.
He applauded the youth in different clusters after their presentations, saying he was more than impressed by the active participation and commitment they portray because it is evident that they know what their duties entail, though voluntary and what they want to achieve at the end of the day. He said their visibility in the streets is equally important because there seem to be a dramatic change and a decline in crime in some areas.
BP to end Botswana operations
The giant BP petroleum company is to withdraw its operations from Botswana and other southern African countries. It will be selling its marketing businesses in the country. BP has numerous fuel filling stations in Botswana and is also heavily committed to the aviation industry through its subsidiary BP aviation. A spokesperson for BP Aviation in Maun declined to comment at this stage but it is understood that the aviation fuel situation will continue, albeit under another company.
BP's Africa chief executive, Sipho Maseko, is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying it plans to pull out of Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana following a strategy review, but would still invest to grow its market share in Mozambique and South Africa. The company said it plans to sell its marketing businesses these countries, but said Mozambique and South Africa offered better synergies with its supply portfolio. I would like to stress that BP is and will stay committed to Africa, Maseko is quoted as saying. We have significant operations in Angola, Mozambique and South Africa and in Algeria, Egypt and Libya. We will continue to grow and invest in those markets, especially in the value chain infrastructure. BP said it had informed the governments of the five countries of its plans. The company t did not specify when the assets would be sold. A press release from BP in Johannesburg says that BP has already announced to its employees about its intention to sell its businesses. BP is said to have discussed with the South African and Mozambique governments about its desire to continue and invest in these countries. BP also says that the businesses which it is looking to sell will offer good value and great potential to the purchaser, particularly given the strong economic outlook of the region as a whole. A new owner can build on our good assets and grow the business further. All of our operations are leading marketing businesses, with strong market shares, well run operations, experienced and capable employees and strong health and safety performance, BP says.
Editorial
Land rush' seriously affects development
The attraction of Maun as a place in which to live and work has resulted in a land rush which has overwhelmed the Tawana Land Board.
In a way that is good news as an orderly allocation of available land is a necessity but in another way it is putting the brake on development.
Maun Sub-Land Board secretary Naledi Pema said recently that due to an increase in demand for land, the board has found itself overwhelmed with 600 applications per month - and no available land.
There are only 620 plots available for allocation in Disaneng against a backlog of 30 600 at the end of December last year.
This had led to the decision to indefinitely suspend receiving applications and allocating new residential plots.
Pema called Maun the richest district in Botswana and therefore attracted lots of interest from around the country and internationally. It was this reputation which had resulted in the present land rush.
To deal with this, the board will extend the waiting period for land applications within Maun while shortening those outside to encourage land ownership outside Maun.
In recent years, Maun developed at a rapid pace, outstripping other towns and urban villages around the country. It has become a key market town for an area half the size of France, for instance, and as a result the strain on available land is a problem.
The government should, we believe, endeavour to open up more areas of suitable land for residential purposes, even though some close-by areas are protected.
Do the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, and the massive storms that have battered Europe have anything to do with what the Mayans foretold about the end of the world as we know it?
Remember, December 21, 2012 the predicted Mayan date is just around the corner!
While researchers don't agree with the Mayan calendar, many people do and these are far more than there are scientists and others who have been puzzling over the date for years.
It is perhaps significant that Haiti is a country on an island in the ambit of the ancient Mayan culture, and Chile is well-known, along with Peru, as a mysterious place where, tradition tells us the ancients ruled supreme thousands of years before the birth of Christ.
When an earthquake such as the 8.8 magnitude event that has wrecked most of Chile strikes, one is immediately made aware of how fragile the earth really is - and conjures up visions of disaster with a capital D.
Many people complain about the treatment they receive at Botswana border posts.
Staff at one post, however, appear to go out of their way to please travelers with their courtesy and friendliness. This is at the Mamuno border post as one crosses from Botswana into Namibia.
A smile here and a smile there - accompanied by a cheerful greeting in Setswana - goes a long way, and cheerfulness is something we all look forward to after many hours in a vehicle.
The Shuffles experienced this at the weekend during a quick trip to our neighbours. It pays to be courteous, and travelers should be aware of this rather than enter the immigration/customs buildings with uptight attitudes. Perhaps the security forces manning veterinary cordon fence gates could take note of the friendliness displayed by their colleagues!
That little dog such as Jack Russels and the more fluffy kinds - which keeps you awake at night because of incessant barking has just become a canine world celebrity.
Scientists with nothing else to do have discovered that small dogs may all originate from the Middle East. According to research from the University of California, United States, a study published in the journal BioMed Central found a gene found in small dogs, IGF1, is closely related to one found in Middle Eastern wolves.
Archaeologists have found the remains of small dogs dating back 12 000 years in the region and in Europe, older remains have been uncovered, dating from 31 000 years ago, but these are from larger dogs.
Because all small dogs possess this variant of IGF1, it probably arose early in their history, said Melissa Gray.
What's next, one may ask. Has anyone looked at the ancestry of, for instance, wild dogs? Or, as TV programme Carte Blanche , asked at the weekend: Do we have to go to China for that?
Blast from the past . . .
30 years ago: US-Iran agreement frees 52 hostages held in Teheran since 1979 (Jan. 20); hostages welcomed back in US (Jan. 25). Pope John Paul II wounded by gunman (May 14). Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat is assassinated by Islamic extremists during a military parade in Cairo (Oct. 6).
20 years ago: Europe ends sanctions on South Africa (April 15). South African Parliament repeals apartheid laws (June 5).
10 years ago: Congo president Laurent Kabila assassinated by bodyguard (Jan. 16). Son Joseph Kabila takes over amid continuing civil war.
Flood speculation not always understood
Sir, - I must say that it's a bit annoying, for a scientist, to find speculation on the oncoming flood in your newspaper that is not always based on real understanding of the Okavango system and informed interpretations of real data.
However, I attribute it to the freedom of press, and let it pass.
Our website (http://www.orc.ub.bw/datacat/data_set.php) presents hydrometric data for the Okavango River at Mohembo and Thamalakane River at Maun Bridge in a rather interactive manner.
Comparing Mohembo and Maun flows last year and this year with these in the 1970s is particularly interesting and surely adds a bit of respect to the system we deal with. Note that the site presents basic statistics of current and past flows for Mohembo that might be of interest, and will provide right facts for your further publications.
Also, there are images of the flood (these are not recent, but we are working hard on updating them, and these will be available soon), as well as an Okavango River flow forecast that is based on seasonal weather forecast.
To quickly summarize results of our analyses - Okavango flows so far are rather average in the long term.
It is by far too early to say anything about the Okavango flood from looking at Mohembo discharge only. What we've experienced in recent weeks was the first peak, that was rather, shall I say, peaky.
February flows were thus 6th highest ever recorded, but we cannot expect these high flows to continue in the next months. Note that the decline after the mid-February peak still continues. In spite of this, the flood will be large this year, but not because of rainfall and inflow, but because of the flood being large last year...
PIOTR WOLSKI
Editor's Note: We thank the writer for his input. We try to get it right and in defence of our most recent story, it was obtained from the report of the European Commission's Global Security and Crisis Management Office report as well as from NamWater and weather data collected in Maun and elsewhere. We look forward to receiving relevant information from the writer from time to time.
More reaction to cutting down of tree
Sir, - The magnificent Mopane tree in Tsanekona has, over decades, grown to over 20m tall.
For many years the tree provided a shady meeting place for many children to play and villagers to sit and relax or chat to each other every day. Some bright spark living nearby decided to kill it because it is causing too much litter! The tree is not even in his yard and is around 10 m away from his fence. When a concerned citizen attempted to stop him cutting down the tree, he told them to go away because he can do what he wants. Unfortunately, this seems to be true. Although it is frowned upon there does not seem to be a law preventing people from cutting down trees outside of their properties (I hope I am misinformed here).
Many of the villagers are angry about the loss of one of their favourite resting places but ask, What can we do, he won't listen and we can't stop him?
Sadly this man seems not to notice the real litter lying around outside his yard such as bottles, cans, plastic bags etc. It seems leaf litter is far more of a nuisance in his opinion. The mind boggles that this practice is allowed in the face of so many villagers'
protests, and especially in a country that promotes conservation at every turn. One can only imagine too that when the tree finally dies it might fall onto his fence (hopefully costing him a lot of money for repairs) but it could also fall onto the road next to it effectively blocking it or, heavens forbid, onto one of the kids who play under it every day.
Shame on you, Sir!
TREE HUGGER
Maun
Maun gravel roads in terrible state
By Kelereeditse Kedisitswe and Bright Kholi
As Maun has too few tarred roads, using access gravel roads has become a big challenge to both motorists and pedestrians alike.
The recent rains have not made the situation any better. Apart from 19.5km of roads which are being tarred by the North West District Council, the council in January started dumping gravel heaps on access roads with the intention to resurface them. While residents said the idea of resurfacing is a welcome development, now they complain that the heaps have become a serious inconvenience as these have not been spread on the roads for over a month. One driver said the situation has been made worse by the recent rains - these heaps, plus the water, have made the roads totally impassable, he said.
Some residents said using their vehicles on these roads has resulted in them becoming pedestrians as their vehicles broke down. They are of the view that gravel roads cannot be resurfaced during the rainy season. Taxi drivers are also refusing to take passengers on the affected roads as they say these damage their vehicles.
Taxi driver Noah Kebathokile said the issue of roads in Maun is a serious problem adding that they have to service their cars time and again to the disadvantage of their businesses.
Another taxi driver, Baboloki Mokgadi, agreed the poor standard of roads is a problem as the roads damage tyres and shock absorbers of vehicles. We are not benefiting anything from what we get from our job as taxi drivers, he said.
There have also been complaints over the delays in the completion of the tarring of 19.5km of roads. The roads which are being tarred are Road 13, which starts at the Matshwane junction up to PG Timbers, Road 12 A-B that starts at the Caltex Filling station junction in Boseja past the cemetery to the Crossway junction, Road 10 at Thitoyamokodi ward starts near the old hospital to the Thuso Rehabilitation Centre, Road 9A that begins at Tawana Primary School and ends at Thitoyamokodi cemetery whereas road 9B Starts where road 9A ends at the cemetery to Sentlhaga General Dealer.
Road 2 starts near the airport, passes Sedie secondary school and Sedie clinic and joins Maun-Shorobe road at Sunrise Motors, Road 20 at Shashe ward starts at Shashe primary School to Letsholathebe road while Roads 3 and 4 pass through the old Boyei clinic. During an interview with The Ngami Times, North West District Council public relations officer Wada Motsamai said that they are aware of the heaps on the gravel roads, adding that the roads are being maintained.
She however said they regretted that the contractor has failed to start spreading the gravel.
We have been pressurising him to speed up, and we are hopeful that he will have started
soon, she said. Motsamai said the NWDC only learnt that the contractor's grader was not in the region recently when they asked him about the delay. The contractor's grader is said to be in Maunatlala.
Asked why they gave a tender to someone whose equipment was that far away, Motsamai said it is difficult to monitor the whereabouts of the contractors' equipment, adding in tendering the successful tenderer has to show they have equipment.
Concerning the tarring of the 19.5km of internal roads by Tuwana Construction Company, Motsamai said the project started in November 2008 and they are expecting it to be completed by November this year.
The project is on schedule as most of the roads are at the surface dressing stage but there are some which are a little bit behind and at the gravelling stage. We are expecting all the roads to be finished though the rains have been causing some delays, she said.
Robbers active in Maun area
Thieves appear to be on the rampage in the Disaneng area of Maun.
This week, householders reported signs of break-ins at various properties. Thieves recently cut the perimeter fences of two houses. Two men, one described as tall and the other short, did not succeed at the first house but managed to enter the second, on the banks of the Thamalakane River, as the alarm system was off. One of the men opened a door to allow the second entry. The two stole property including a laptop with key research notes, money, a handbag and other valuables.
Police are investigating.
Crash victim named
Police have named the victim of last week's car crash near Gweta.
He was Antti Tapani Kuivanen, a Finnish national living in Windhoek, Namibia.
He was aged 52.
The accident took place about 20km from Gweta on the road to Nata.
Kuivanen was a taxidermist who previously lived in Maun.
The Finland embassy, in consultation with Kuivanen's wife, was involved in funeral arrangements. Kuivanen leaves his wife and three children.
Khama strengthens relations with Australia
President Khama has been visiting Australia this week and has with Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd agreed to a number of improvements in relations between the two countries. Australia's continued commitment to Botswana's development is to include a new multi-million research programme, implemented through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, to assist small scale cattle farmers. Other projects are the expansion of the Australian Government volunteer programme to include Botswana in 2010-11, a two year extension of support in bushfire prevention and management, and a two year extension of support in plant biosecurity and quarantine assistance.
Also agreed upon was the continuation of Australia's development scholarships programme, the continuation of Australia's extractive industries fellowship programme, ongoing legal capacity building assistance through regional Africa programmes implemented by the Australian Federal Police, the Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Transaction Report and Analysis Centre.
Also agreed is continuing cooperation in peace and security, including by offering positions for Batswana officers in short-term Australian Defence Force training courses in Australia. President Khama toured the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and held talks with the governor of New South Wales, Marie Bashir, as well as visiting the NSW Rural Fire Services and meeting with Batswana students in Sydney.
There are about 500 Batswana studying in Australia, of which over 200 are on government sponsorships.
Youths neglected by national budget'
By Molefi Manyepedza
The latest national budget has nothing significant for the youth in terms of sports and recreational facilities. This was said by the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) district coordinator Emmanuel Galeboe at an event to discuss the recent budget speech. Galeboe said unlike in other countries, the youth in Botswana were not catered for when developments are mapped out even though the 2001 population census had shown the youth forms the majority of the population than any age group and therefore cannot be ignored. If a country fails to plan for its youth, then it has automatically failed to plan for the future, said Galeboe, adding that the reason the youth engaged in criminal activities was because they are not empowered to do something for themselves. A disabled person, Onkabetse Kavinja, of Thuso Rehabilitation Centre applauded the government for bringing health and education services to Maun area a move that favours them even though they are insufficient. He added that as disabled people, they are able to access government infrastructures like Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital without help. With programs like Ipelegeng, disable people are employed both in government and private sector just like any other individual can be employed, Kavinja added.
Flying Club adds another aircraft to its fleet
The Kalahari Flying Club in Maun has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception in 2007. In an interview with The Ngami Times, chairperson Heike Schwegert said that KFC Maun has now got two aircraft, both C172s. According to Swargett, the club has also grown to a membership of 60, of which most are students pursuing their Private Pilot Licenses (PPL).
She also said they would like to see most of the old and seasoned pilots joining the club to revive the spirit of flying.
Ten pilots have already acquired their PPLs as a result of their training at the club. with them. She was however happy that the club was growing quickly especially that they have managed to produce an aeronautical map which, she says, is quite helpful for training throughout the industry. They have also produced an upgraded version of the Pilot's Guide. Te Maun club is also doing more hours as its members fly a lot. The patron of the Kalahari Flying Club., which has its headquarters in Gaborone, is President Ian Khama, who is a qualified pilot.
School bursar charged with theft
A former school bursar, Kaelo Radikoane (31) has appeared before Maun Principal Magistrate, Clifford Foroma, on allegations of stealing by servant. It is alleged that between April 1 and December 15 last year he stole the amount of P11 528.25 from Sekgoma Junior Secondary where he was employed as a bursar. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and said he would seek a lawyer to represent him. The prosecutor, Pascal Mhandu, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, said that investigations were complete and 6 witnesses.
Radikoane's next mention will be on April 6.
Businesses hauled through the courts
Maun businesses are being hauled before the courts in various civil cases.
According to legal advertisements, the National Development Bank (NDP) has brought a notice of sale in execution against the Rainbow West Filling Station in Boseja, citing Stephen Kambizo Bingana and Mmamothathubi Bingana as defendants.
The order is for the debtors rights, title and interest and all developments on tribal lot 401 Maun.
A second notice against the same company and the defendants involves the sale of developments on tribal lot 64 which includes a butchery and fresh produce outlet. The two auctions take place on March 26 and 27.
NDB also recently succeeded in obtaining other sale in execution orders against other businesses operating in the Maun area. Also being taken to court is Lions Roar Safaris which trades as Rhino Executive Lodge.
Best Lite Investments, trading as Choppies, has successfully obtained judgment involving as Toyota Land Cruiser while Tsetseng Investments, which trades as Safari Spar, has obtained judgment against Lions Roar for a Land Rover Defender vehicle.
Wilderness Safaris launches public offer
Wilderness Safaris, Botswana's best-known safari company, has launched a public offer in Botswana and South Africa to be followed by a primary listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange and a simultaneous secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Africa Board.
The company said this week it was a strategically significant step in its evolution, designed to enable it to take full advantage of growth opportunities and to give the public an opportunity to participate in its future success.
Chief executive Andy Payne said the company's strategic objective was to double the number of owned Wilderness bed nights by 2015, as well as to double the area under its influence by expanding into regions which complement its existing biodiversity footprint and experience offering.
We recognise that achieving this aim will require greater access to capital markets, a broader shareholder base and a simplified corporate structure. We also believe that our unique positioning, iconic international brand and management's long track record of financial and operational delivery present investors with an attractive growth and performance platform, he said. Wilderness Safaris' philosophy is one of building sustainable conservation economies through responsible tourism, which shares the benefits of tourism with local communities and ensures that pristine wilderness areas are protected profitably.
The 26-year-old business is invested in 53 destinations and manages and markets a further 17 in seven southern African countries. It also operates specialist travel businesses in six countries as well as a fleet of 49 aircraft, and employs more than 2 700 people, most of whom come from remote rural communities.
The company achieved a revenue of P995.05-million for the year to February 2009.
The public offer for 3 million ordinary shares is at a price of P4.00 in Botswana and R4.56 in South Africa and is fully underwritten. Prior to the public offer the company placed 56 343 256 ordinary shares by way of a private placement, also at a price of P4.00 per share.
A policy of building sustainable conservation economies through responsible tourism shares the benefits of tourism with local communities and ensures the protection of these areas for future generations. Making money is fundamental to the business and since inception Wilderness has been cash positive, driven largely by its success in the tourism operations. The company is run by a group of likeminded wildlife professionals who came together to build a successful safari business delivering a unique experience for guests and strong returns for shareholders and stakeholders while ensuring that southern Africa's pristine wilderness areas remain sustainably protected.
The Wilderness business consists safari consulting (tour operating and destination management), transfer and touring (air and road), camp, lodge and safari exploration operator , and finance and asset management business. In the tourism business Wilderness currently owns 53 destinations comprising 930 beds (nightly count) in seven countries , markets and/or manages a further 17 destinations comprising 280 beds (nightly count) in seven countries, operates 49 aircraft (owning 33 of these), operates 6 journey specialist businesses in 6 countries employing 249 people; and employs approximately 2 700 people.
Maun has shortage of available land
A land crisis in Maun has forced the Tawana Land Board to freeze the allocation of residential plots indefinitely.
Briefing the media recently at Maun Lodge, Maun Sub-land Board secretary Naledi Pema said due to an increase in demand for land, the land board has found itself overwhelmed with 600 applications per month and no available land.
The Land Board has at the moment only 620 plots available for allocation in Disaneng against a backlog of 30 600 ending December 2009, she said.
Pema added that the board has been forced to take a decision to indefinitely suspend receiving applications and allocating new residential plots. According to Pema, as the richest district in Botswana, Maun attracted lots of interest from around the country and internationally and this has resulted in the present land rush. To deal with this, the land board will extend the waiting period for land applications within Maun while shortening those outside to encourage land ownership outside Maun.
Most old plots allocated by Dikgosi long ago were as huge as 1.5 hectares in measurement. Pema said they were now engaging with owners of such plots appealing to them to sub-divide them into fours plots and give to their children. Pema told the media that among the 30 600 applicants in their waiting list, there some who had been previously allocated plots but sold them. These people she said will not be eligible for allocation. Pema said there had also been instances of some ploughing field's owners to sell as they complaining that monetary compensation offered by the land board is very little. Further aggravating the land shortage in Maun, Pema said was the fact that Maun can only be expanded towards the east as some areas in Maun are considered protected zones. In the west of Maun, she said, there were boreholes; south was considered agricultural land and that's where Maun has the best soils while in the north there was a lot of pastoral activity.
Given the land crisis and the fact that Maun can only be expanded towards the east, it is a given that the Revised Maun Development Plan will hit a snag as it anticipates a population growth of more than 40 000 people by the year 2012.
For this population it is predicted that 13 000 residential plots will have to be demarcated.
Pema said the decision was taken in good faith, and assured residents Tawana Land Board will do away with the freeze as soon as it can.
Meanwhile the Tawana Land Board has frozen all borehole allocation activity in both the Ngamiland and Okavango districts.
Board chairman Oabilwe Chombo said that a decision had been reached following an allocation crisis due to lack of up-to-date information on the location and number of existing boreholes.
Chombo said that in previous years the land board has not been able to adequately file information on borehole location in Ngamiland and Okavango districts and this he said led to the board inadvertently allocating boreholes closer to one another. In some cases, the board has allocated boreholes on other people's land and this caused conflicts which ended up with the land board tribunal in some cases. Chombo could not reveal how many such cases the board received in previous years. The required minimum between boreholes is 6 km. Chombo said the land board had outsourced the services of private company Geoflux to collect and prepare data on borehole location in Ngami and Okavango but there was a margin of error in the information provided by the company. This time we are going to conduct an internal audit. We are using our technical staff.
The land board is under staffed and under financial constraints with the Ministry of Lands and Housing having received a minimal of P1.2 million this financial year.
According to Chombo, the freeze, which is expected to last a year, will assist the land board to collect and store information by use of new technology such the Global Positioning System (GPS).This, according to Chombo, will enable the Board to correct its present information and allocation crisis. Chombo assured farmers that the freeze will not be used to witch hunt anyone nor will they be repossessing anyone's borehole.
Pastoral farmers are expected to be the worst hit during the freeze while feed lots and game farmers will be least affected, Chombo said.
Floods hit Etsha - worst still to come
The North West District Council (NWDC) is locked in a desperate damage control battle against floods that recently hit Etsha and are expected to reach other villages in the Okavango area in less than two weeks. Due to the urgency of the situation in Etsha, the NWDC has been forced to move heavy equipment such as front end loaders and graders from Mohembo and Sepopa to Etsha to avoid a humanitarian crisis and damage to infrastructure.
In Mohembo and Sepopa, the NWDC has since last month been trying to keep its water treatment plants from submerging -which could result in acute shortages of water for weeks, thereby worsening the crisis. In an interview, NWDC chairman Clement Bethia said the council was finding it hard to adequately manage the flood crisis as they were under resourced. Bethia revealed that they had asked for more funds from the Office of the President but have not yet received any response. Bethia further said on top of managing the floods crisis, they were simultaneously trying to fix damage caused by last year's floods in other villages such as Xakao, Gudigwa, Sepopa and Mohembo. This year's floods, he said, will be more intense compared to last year's and are expected to affect people living along the Thamalakane River in Maun.
Two men in court for theft
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
Two Maun men, Reuben Letsapa (34), of Matshwane, and Lekopanye Gaobotse (30), of Boseja, have appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma for theft.
According to the particulars of the offence, the two accused on November 8 last year stole a green coloured 5 000 litre Jojo container belonging to Thebe Rammokolodi at or near Chanoga settlement.
Gaobotse pleaded guilty to the charge while Letsapa pleaded not guilty. Sub-Inspector Selolwane, of Maun police, received a report that there was a green 5 000 litres Jojo tank hidden in the bush near Chanoga. He went to the scene and the two accused were arrested, cautioned and charged for the offence. Gaobotse was cautioned, and admitted that he stole the tank and hid it in the bush. He was helped by Letsapa to load it in a car. In plea of mitigations, Gaobotse asked for leniency saying that he is a first offender who has been living with the complainant in the same settlement for more that 10 years and was only tempted by the Devil to commit the offence.
Furthermore he stated that on March 16, he is to start work as a labourer and if sentenced to jail the offer will be taken back. Foroma said he considered the accused mitigating factors, adding that the stolen tank was recovered so Gaobotse did not benefit anything from the offence.
I am satisfied that you pleaded guilty, showing remorse. Normally first offenders are given time to rehabilitate. The accused admitted that what he did was unlawful and by stealing the tank it was his intention for the complainant to never see it again. I find you guilty as charged, added Foroma. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 3 years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. The prosecutor was Universe Kabecha, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, who requested for a trial date to be set for the other accused, Letsapa.
Letsapa said he will engage an attorney during trial which was then set for June 4.
Father failed to comply with court order
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
Tubego Isaiah (34), of Qangwa cattle post, has appeared before Maun magistrate Mmoloki Sibanda on 8 counts of failing to comply with a court order to pay P200 monthly as maintenance for his child.
Isaiah is in arrears totalling P1 600.
Isaiah begged for leniency saying that he is a breadwinner, taking care of his children and his siblings. He was working as a herdsman looking after cattle, adding that if given a custodial sentence the siblings would suffer and the cattle will go astray.
When passing sentence, Sibanda said he considered the accused mitigating factors, the number of counts the accused is charged with, such that he is a first offender and normally first offenders are given a chance for rehabilitation.
Failure to comply with court orders is very common in this court and if action is not taken against men who fail to pay child maintenance then society will loose confidence in this court, added Sibanda. The accused was then sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, wholly suspended on conditions that he does not commit a similar offence. He was ordered to pay the amount within 60 days, failure to do so would mean he will be sent to jail.
Maun Tigers confident of more 1st division soccer
Maun Tigers, the Nhabe-based 1 st division campaigners, believe the coast is now clear for them to march on to the relegation/promotional games with more hope.
Tigers, who lost out in the promotional games last year in Selebi Phikwe, believe the margin between them and league challengers Maun Heroes and Moeti United might not be able to stop them as they move to restore their pride by playing in the first division.
An experienced soccer administrator who has seen it all in the Nhabe football, Maun Tigers chairman Mauricio George Bendu said the team was now looking for more experience and depth among the players to guide them through to the relegation games and gain a spot in national soccer.
We had a reasonable challenge last year from the teams we played against. We learnt and corrected our lessons, and now we feel the coast is clear for us to win the league which comes with the promotion to the play offs. Through the vast experience earned over the last couple of years we have mastered the lesson and should be able to get there.
The boys now know what it means to Maun to play in the second best league in the country; having shared the vision with Maun Terrors who have been playing in the first division league for the last two years.
The passion that the fans in this town have should go a long way to inspire the boys, said Bendu.
Former player and current head coach George Jacob has told his players to seize the moment and make the most of their chances. Jacob said the real fight for a place in the national league started from the beginning of the season - now that the league is coming to an end, the players are part of an elite group. They now know their intentions. Very few soccer players and teams get the chance to play at the promotional games.
Now every game and training session as well as friendly matches are important in the preparations for the relegation games and players must make the most of it. Jacob stressed he would not underestimate any team in the league, despite the number of the remaining games. Just like any other team, Maun Tigers have a couple of young and new players who can rise to the occasion and win games for the team. They have been preparing well for the season having played 15 games without a defeat. That alone is a clear indication of a side with a vision towards their success. This weekend they are looking forward to keep shinning as they take on Horizon Stars on Saturday afternoon. Nhabe regional Division 1 debutants Maun Heroes are indeed the unsung heroes as they seem destined and in contention for the regional championship.
Club manager Norman Sebele said the club was looking at maintaining their form until the end of the season. As you are aware, we are coming in as underdogs, said Sebele. Maun Heroes, together with Moeti United and Maun BMC, will be hoping to make a lasting impact in this league to put pressure on log leaders Maun Tigers.
Makgabisanaga's dream to avoid relegation went up in smoke following a 2-0 defeat by Cubs on Saturday. The ambitious former giants had potential to go far, but their hopes crumbled after they lost players and management at the same time. It took time for the club to regroup, and they seemed to be coming back to their good old days. With just 7 games before the curtain falls over Nhabe football, Makgabisanaga need to win all their remaining games and pray that other relegation candidates fall along the way.
Our hope lies in God's hands'
Nhabe region 2 nd division side Gaegolelwe has invoked religion to ensure the team returns to big-time Nhabe region football. The former Nhabe 1 st division side plays Maun United on Sunday in what could be their deciding game for a place in the region's 1 st division. The youthful outfit needs to beat United and hope that the other contenders for the 1 st division slot, CTO and Zungu United, share the spoils. Speaking to Times Sports , Leene said: Our fate is in God's hands. I do not have anything else to say for now except to say our fate lies with God. Leene, who is looking forward to bringing the former Nhabe giants back into the 1 st division, said his squad was dogged by injuries and suspension of regular players but his main focus was to win the game and raise their chances of league glory.
We need to focus on winning all our remaining games. I am, however, faced with suspension of my regular players, but we have to work hard to come up with a few changes to the team, he said.
Maun United blew their chance of enhancing their fight for the 2 nd division title when they failed to defend 4 goals scored by Zungu to lend them a 4-2 deficit. With two places up for grabs for top honours, Maun United will have to battle against CTO and Zungu for them to have a return ticket after enjoying successive seasons before being relegated last season.
With MaGee Man looking set to fight for pride, Leene said he would fight with the team until the last game of the season - We have learned enough, and I think this is our chance to rise and represent our region. We need these three points to be safe, he said. In another 2 nd division league encounter, CTO will clash with Zungu in a mouthwatering match which will also give a clear indication of the other title contenders. CTO are on 2 nd place with 11 points from 6 games, 5 points behind Gaegolelwe but with a game in hand. Zungu has played the same number of games as CTO but they have collected 9 point while Maun United are fourth with 8 points from the same number of games.
Brothers of Peace are at the bottom of the 6-team log standings with 3 points from 6 games and Boseja Chiefs are second from the bottom with 4 points.
FIFA reiterates warning regarding illegal lotteries
With less than three months to the kick-off of the World Cup soccer tournament in south Africa, international football controlling body FIFA has been alerted to a growing number of e-mails and scams fraudulently claiming to be associated or linked with the World Cup and World Cup Organising Committee in South Africa. These scams generally inform recipients that they have been selected as lottery prize winners and have won substantial sums of money, or invite recipients to submit a tender. FIFA says the public should treat any correspondence concerning lottery draws, tenders or competitions with suspicion and extreme caution and urges people not to provide any personal or financial details if requested to do so.
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02 Mar 2010 07:18
Edition 496 26 February - 5 March, 2010
The sweet smell of success . . . . The Maun East girls volleyball team, a.k.a Crocodile, were on top of the world last weekend when they were crowned the national Constituency League champions. They are pictured here holding their trophy, and the team also won P9 000 at the finals held in Maun over the weekend.
No plans to ban self-drive tourists
The Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) says no decision has been reached to ban self-drive tourism in Botswana.
It has called reports on the matter false and uncalled for.
According to a media release, the ministry has been inundated with statements from tourists and local entrepreneurs which suggest that the ministry has made a decision to ban self-drive tourists.
As much as the ministry is concerned about the conduct of some self-drive tourists, it has never reached a decision to ban self-drives.
The ministry has however realised that there are numerous self-drive tourists who disregard the national parks and game reserves regulations by congesting in one area thereby exceeding the limits, driving at night, driving off-road, littering and breaking other regulations that they were briefed on when entering national parks and game Reserves.
We have also noticed that some of these self-drive's are in fact externally based operators who conduct their business illegally in the country. Without any hesitation the ministry will crack the whip on those who conduct business illegally in Botswana and on those who deliberately degrade our precious environment, the release adds.
It says there have been consultations with the tourism industry stakeholders to determine ways of decongesting national parks and game reserves to promote Botswana's unique product of the pristine wilderness.
When making a decision on operations in parks and reserves all the pros and cons on conservation of the environment will be taken into account, including the socio-economic impact on locals. It should however be noted that when reaching a decision, the ministry would ensure that the environment is not compromised as we derive economic benefits from that very environment and as such, we have to preserve it for future generations, the release said.
* (See Letters to the Editor on Page 10)
THE PLACE OF DEAD BABIES
Maun the place of reeds as it is known is fast becoming the place of abandoned or dead babies.
In the past few months there have been numerous incidents of mothers who, after giving birth, have disappeared, leaving their babies in shallow graves or in the bush.
In one horrifying in stance, a schoolboy found a dog with a baby's leg in its mouth.
It is not yet known whether some deliveries were performed in hospitals or clinics with medical assistance or if they were deliberately carried out behind closed doors so as to destroy any evidence that might implicate the mothers to a crime.
The police say unplanned pregnancies are the reason particularly among young girls who don't know what to do about the newly-born babies.
Most often than not, the newly born babies are thrown away by their mothers who blame their partners who have disappeared or deny paternity. Although the law has gone the extra mile through the maintenance courts to rescue young women who face problems in locating partners to make them pay for the upbringing of their own children, it is evident that some mothers still do not take any action. When commenting on what might be the root cause of such issues, Maun CID Officer-In- Charge, Assistant Superintendent Raymond Alakanani David, revealed that most cases involve the youth because of unplanned pregnancies and paternity denial.
He also said some suspects were non-citizens who came to look for greener pastures and fall pregnant and due to lack of support, they end up abandoning those babies.
When things of this nature happen you never know what might be the cause but I can advise all those that are involved that for things to go smoothly they should prevent pregnancy or abstain from sex to avoid unplanned pregnancies which end up leading them to commit such offences, he said.
David further revealed that that his office has in the first six weeks of the year recorded three cases. In one, an abandoned baby was found by a passerby near Boseja\Kubung clinic on the February 11. The baby who was later taken to Letsholathebe II Memorial hospital with the help of the police has a tag on the arm which revealed the birth date and first injection and is said to be fine and growing healthier. The mother has not been found.
In another, a Gweta woman is in police custody assisting with investigation over an incident that occurred on December 11 last year. The suspect who at the time was staying with her sister in Matlapana ward, Maun, was home alone in their house when she delivered.
It is alleged that, after giving birth to the baby, she strangled it with her bare hands.
Her parents were alerted by the baby crying and on arrival they met the suspect at doorstep and when questioning her on what might have happened, they saw the baby wrapped in blankets.
The parents called the police and the baby was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead. The postmortem stated the baby died due to strangulation.
The woman is facing a murder charge and she will remain in custody until trial date.
On February15, another heartbreaking incident occurred when residents of Riverside were shocked after Moremi Primary School students found a dog with a leg alleged to be that of a baby near the school. The leg, which was later proved to be of a 6-12 month year old baby, was seen by a 13 year old boy. He told his parents, who reported the matter to Maun police who took the leg to the hospital. We have never encountered a case of this nature. It is an incident of its own and we are trying to find the remainder of the body, said David. North West District Council public relations officer Wada Motsamai said: As we deal with issues which affect the welfare or social life of the community, incidents of this nature are a concern to us as an organisation because our mandate is to provide service to the community and improve life. We are mainly into the safety of those children and try to liaise with the relevant offices. We are part of the search and work hand in hand with the police as we are mainly concerned by the safety of the babies and their welfare.
Motsamai confirmed said cases of this kind are skyrocketing in Maun and these cases show inhumane behaviour.
She encouraged the public to seek assistance or advice from their close friends and families, or social workers who can counsel them, and be open in times of problems to avoid incidents.
She encouraged people to be patient and learn to cope with life's challenges and said problem sharing with others is what she called the main medicine adding that unwanted pregnancies should be avoided as they can never be used as excuses for committing a crime.
It also believed that reported cases are just a tip of the ice berg as some incidents are never reported.
Hippo kills fleeing man
SHAKAWE - A 35 year old Mohembo East man was killed by a hippo this week. According to Shakawe police station commander Assistant Superintendent Size Malibala, the man had gone to the banks of the Okavango River with three others to collect a dugout canoe (mokoro) which they had left there for some time and had feared it might be swept away by water. While going to the other side of the river, they suddenly came head-to-head with a hippo which struck their canoe and charged at them. A witness told the police that the hippo became furious after the man had hit it with a stone although it is not certain whether he had injured the animal. He is reported to have tried to flee for cover on a small island nearby but the hippo had already taken hold of him.
Malibala said after the police were called to the scene, they tried to locate the victim but were not successful. The body was retrieved the following morning. Malibala said although the police have not recorded any drowning cases since the beginning of this year, they are concerned and worried about how some residents still do not see the dangers and consequences of venturing close to the Okavango River which has a large population of hippos and a variety of dangerous snakes. He said members of the public have developed a habit of doing their laundry at the river banks, taking along minor children on whom they do not keep a watchful eye.
He said members of the public who live near or enter the river should always be on the alert.
Foreigner dies in Gweta car accident
A Finnish man has been killed in a car accident 20km from Gweta.
The man's identity has been withheld until his next of kin in Namibia and Finland have been informed. The accident occurred on Tuesday evening at around 7 pm. He was driving a 4x4 white Toyota Hilux and was alone in the vehicle. The deceased was confirmed dead on arrival at Gweta Primary Hospital.
Confirming the accident, Gweta police station officer Keitseope Keakile said investigations are ongoing. It is understood the man, a 52-year-old taxidermist who previously worked in Maun and had been living in Windhoek for the past seven years, had been visiting Maun for a few days before proceeding to Victoria Falls where he was investigating potential business opportunities. He had also told friends he would possibly go to Shanghai, China, if unsuccessful in Zimbabwe.
The man's wife and three children live in Namibia.
Big flood' predicted as rains continue
Good rains over northern Botswana, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia and the Angolan eastern highlands appear to ensure a major flood this year coming through the Zambezi and Okavango rivers, eventually entering the Boro, Thamalakane and Boteti rivers.
Latest water levels from Rundu in Namibia and Mohembo, near Shakawe, point to levels well above those of recent years
According to the European Commission's Global Security and Crisis Management (GSCM) office, the monitoring areas on the upper Zambezi River is reaching the alert threshold while the Lukulu downstream area has already done so.
GSCM predicts floods are likely in the Caprivi area within the next three weeks.
On February 18, according to information from NamWater, the Namibian water utility, the levels at Katima Mulilo had risen by 11cm in a day to 3.88 metres which is 1.74 metres higher than normal. At Mohembo, on the Botswana-Namibia border, the water level was 2.82 metres, which is slightly down for this time of the year but is expected to rise dramatically soon.
In northern Botswana, water has reached the Savuti Swamps for the first time since 1982. This follows on the Savuti Channel also flowing for the first time in years as a result of heavy rains.
The Savuti Marsh area, covering 10 878 sq km, is the western of the Chobe National Park and was once part of a large inland lake whose water supply was cut a long time ago by tectonic movements.
Maun has so far this month (up until Wednesday) had a total of 146mm of rain. There is a threat of further heavy showers, according to weather forecasters.
If there is major flooding of the Boro and Thamalakane rivers it is likely to be more severe than last seasons' event, when houses in low-lying areas were flooded as well as farmlands and water installations.
According to safari company Eyes on Africa, which has a substantial report and pictures of the water situation on its website, the flood water is already in the Okavango panhandle and has also reached Seronga.
The flood waters are arriving a lot earlier this year compared to last year. No one knows how high this year's flood waters are going to reach, but keep in mind that there has been a substantial amount of local rain in northern Botswana and that the Okavango Delta is already relatively full of water for this time of year.
Rain can also be expected for another two months (up until the end of March), locally and in the catchment area in Angola. All of these factors could result in water levels that will surpass last year's already high water mar. says the company.
Birdlife Botswana is also predicting a major flood.
It says that last year the highest water levels in decades in the Kwando led to the hope and belief that the Savuti Channel would flow again, which it did before losing momentum as most of the water bypassed the mouth of the Savuti at Zibadianja, and flowed down the Linyanti and into the Chobe River.
The water stopped several kilometres from the Savuti Marsh but in December, possibly due to heavy unseasonal rains that fell in mid-2009, as well as good local summer rains, the water began flowing again.
The 2010 floods promise to be above average, with water levels in the Zambezi and Chobe systems having already risen considerably. With plenty of water remaining from 2009, there is a high probability of the Savuti Marsh being seriously inundated later this year. It is possible that Savuti will once again become one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife areas, says BirdLife Africa.
Questions over Nata slaughterhouse
GABORONE The MP for Nata/Gweta has asked the Minister of Agriculture to clarify whey there has been a delay in the building of a slaughter house in Nata.
He has said in a written question to Parliament that P90 000 was budgeted for the materials, P75 000 for labour and P24 000 for finishing the project.
The slaughter house was supposed to have been completed by 2005.
It is expected that the minister will provide an answer this week.
The good and bad of a flood
It is not without cause that there is much excitement in the safari industry over the possibility of one of the largest floods to have occurred in recent years in the Okavango River and the Okavango delta this year.
Floodwaters have already entered parts of the Okavango panhandle and reached Seronga while the Savuti Channel is flowing into the Savuti Marsh for the first time in more than 25 years. That alone is a bonus for safari operators and tourism lodges as that area is well-known as one of the most abundant wildlife viewing areas imaginable.
Of course, while such flooding will enhance tourism there is also the danger to human habitation along the banks of the Okavango, the Boro, Thamalakane and Boteti because what occurs in the north of the far country affects the whole river system.
People persist in building their homes whether they be brick or a humble hut on the floodplains, running the very real risk of losing their possessions as the floodwaters keep coming. Farmlands will also be inundated as villages are isolated.
There is now adequate warning from all quarters of the dangers facing villagers. They ignore the warnings at their peril.
Those of you who may have seen the South African TV programme Carte Blanche a couple of weeks ago may be interested to know that a shop theft surveillance project is alive and well right here in Maun.
A major supermarket chain has installed surveillance cameras in its shops throughout Botswana so as to monitor why their stores keep losing thousands of pula in stock and cash.
Now the answer is being obtained through the clever use of deaf people who, according to the programme, are very aware of the way people behave. Their finely tuned senses, vital if they are not able to hear, are, for instance, tuned into the way people react when stealing.
Shuffle hears that the local stores are cock-a-hoop over the computerised programme which allows a video to be shot as every transaction is made, and the images remain on the tape for weeks on end so next time you shop, just remember there's something in the store that is watching you very carefully.
Don't try to hide goods or you will be found out, and cashier till operators must now be very aware that their activities are under non-stop surveillance.
You will also be charged with theft.
Shuffle is not sure whether this is an Urban Legend or not It seems that a few days ago, a person was recharging his cellphone at home. Just at that time a call came in and he answered it with the charging instrument still connected to the outlet. After a few seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the floor with a heavy thud. The phone actually exploded. His parents rushed to the room only to find him unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt fingers. He was rushed to a hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Cellphones are a very useful modern invention - however, we must be aware that it can also be an instrument of death. Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to the electrical outlet! If you are charging the cell phone and a call comes in, unplug it from the charger and outlet.
**
Recently this column carried a piece about how businesses suffered as a result of the power disruption that affected Maun. We called it an Act of God and therefore insurance claims would be nullified. We were wrong and take this first opportunity to set the record straight. Businesses which have public utilities extended cover against drought, pollution of water, shortage of fuel or water and so on can claim if they also have a business interruption clause in their policies. If there is an interruption for interference with a business arising from a mechanical, electrical or electronic breakdown for more than 24 hours then claims can be lodged.
Maun airport project on schedule
By Bright Kholi
The Maun airport expansion project, which is currently confined to the airside, is progressing well and on schedule. Phase 1 - the construction of the 3.7 kilometre long runway together with the taxi-way, and other services associated with it - has already taken shape. The more than P500-million phase of the entire project, was awarded to a joint venture between China National Oversees Engineering Corporation (Covec) and a local company, Excavator Hire, and the project consultants are Netherlands Airport Company-Stewart Scott International (NACO-SSI). This phase is the most demanding one of the entire project. recently made a site visit with the approval of the new Maun Airport manager Larona Mokete. While it was our first time to actually visit the site after being denied information since the start of the project, it was clear that a lot of work has been going on at the site. The entire runway is clearly visible as more layers continue to be laid and according to a spokesman for consultants, the runway is expected to be complete in early 2011. He said the project had to done in phases because starting the terminal building and the runway at the same time would mean one has to close the airport. Once the runway is complete, we can move the current apron and planes to start using the new runway, and then we start on the new terminal building and upgrading the old runway to be a taxi runway, he said. The contractors are sourcing water from the Thamalakane River and they said recent rains have been a blessing. The contractors are currently building a huge storm water drainage system to drain into the river. The Maun airport expansion project is part of similar projects that the Civil Aviation Authority is doing in upgrading the standard of local airports. Once complete, the airport will be able to handle bigger aircraft to the size of Boeing 737s. The construction has also gone outside the fence of the existing airport, and some runway works are further west and crossed the Moeti road. According to the spokesperson, the road will soon be closed and moved a kilometre further to the west.
This means that contrary to some statements that Botshabelo and Moeti Residents will not have access to town, there will be a tarred road going through the airport but fenced off and joining the other part of Maun. This road will be constructed away after the runway. A gravel road will be built to join Sedie and Botshabelo and will be running north of the airport on the 150 metre buffer zone. On other phase of the project, Mokete told The Ngami Times that the terminal building was still at the design stage, from which it go for tender. Construction will only start after the completion of the runway .
Botswana eyes big minerals in CKGR
Staff reporter
The government has reportedly granted 14 firms licenses to do mineral exploration in the controversial Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).
The park that is at the centre of a heated controversy between the government and the park's traditional inhabitants, the Basarwa. Agence France-Press (AFP) last week reported that 112 licenses were awarded over the last 6 years for companies to do diamond, uranium, coal exploration in the 52 800sq m park. Environment, Wildlife and Tourism minister Kitso Mokaila told AFP that the park was big enough to allow mining alongside, human and wildlife occupation - why should I deny a country that started off as the 26 th least developed country the opportunity to do mining? We all know what mining activities have done to this country. We are where we are right now because of mining.
The government has for more than a decade been involved in a tug of war with the Basarwa and a British-based international human rights organisation campaign led by Survival International (SI).
The government maintains the eviction of Basarwa had nothing to do with minerals in the park but only to conserve wildlife. In 2006 Basarwa leader Roy Sesana and 242 others won a landmark case in which they took the government to court for evicting them from what they called their ancestral lands. High Court judge Mpaphi Phumaphi ruled that the government had cut off the Basarwa way of life by wrongfully evicting them. When making the ruling, the judge said in my view the simultaneous stoppage of the supply of food rations and the stoppage of hunting licenses is tantamount to condemning the remaining residents of the central Kalahari to death and starvation. Following the ruling, some Basarwa who had left went back in to the park. There is now another case going in which the Basarwa have again taken the government t court for cutting the supply of water in the park. There are reports that SI is campaigning on what they call malicious treatment of Gana and Gwi bushman. SI held a protest at a function to celebrate Botswana hosted by the country's high commissioner to Britain, Roy Blackbeard. An American author, James Workman, has published a book titled The Heart of Dryness depicting a scene in which in 2007 government officials allegedly arrived in the reserve to off water supplies.
Delays breed corruption, says Wellio
Prominent Maun businessman John Wellio says a delay in services, especially in government, breeds corruption.
Wellio was speaking in Maun at a panel discussion organised by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).
He said without a conducive environment where services are provided for speedily and efficiently, corrupt practices are most likely to be the norm. Wellio spoke of a case where for more than a year, a government department delayed in giving his own business permission to expand infrastructure.
As a result, Wellio said government lost about P800 000 in taxes and 80 people went without income for 16 months.
He described instances like these are a cause for frustration which ultimately influences corrupt behaviour.
One of the participants, Kabo Moseki, fired salvos at the DCEC saying its formation alone was not enough to successfully combat corruption but rather that the DCEC should be accountable to parliament and not the Office of the President. This, he said, would allow the DCEC to investigate cases involving powerful and influential figureheads. Moseki said at the moment the DCEC seems incapable of investigating allegations doing the rounds in the private press about Debswana financing former presidents and the Botswana Democratic Party campaigns.
He described this as posing a danger to the public doubting the impartiality of the Directorate. The DCEC's Principal Anti-Corruption Officer, Alias Mudongo, says there is indication that corruption is on the rise in Botswana as DCEC registers increased cases every year.
Indiscriminate chopping down of a tree
Sir, - On returning from town on Sunday morning at 11.5 it was to a sad sight of a local adult gent chopping at a Mopane tree, an icon on the dirt road from Delta 4x4.
This regal, upright, established, shady, tree is situated on the edge of the road, in NO ONE's property, so I could not understand the reasoning for it being chopped down. I approached the axe wielding gent to ask his reasoning and was told it is littering- not even in his property as the tree is situated approx 10m from his fence line. When I explained that in this day and age of conserving nature, the ethics of chopping down an established tree, and the lack of respect he has of nature, he replied that it was still OK for him to chop it down as he would plant another tree elsewhere! Surely, with all the education, national arbor days, the establishment of forestry departments (although not available on Sundays), Daisy Wrights awareness campaigns, eco this and eco that, laws would come into place preventing the random chopping down of trees? How can it be one individual's rash decision to chop down a tree that has been around probably for longer than he has for the mere reasoning of it is littering?
VERY DISAPPOINTED
Editor's Note: There is a prohibition in force on the chopping down of trees or collecting firewood without the necessary permit.
Foreign anger over high park fees
Sir, - I was told at the weekend that plans are afoot, instigated by the top brass of the luxury lodges, in full co-operation with the government bodies, to ban all self-drive tourists from your wonderful game reserves.
If tourists wish to visit the parks they are to stay in these lodges or at the very least book to take game drives with them as the only means of visiting the parks. This of course come on top of the rise in park entry fees etc.
Mike and I have been visiting Botswana, along with neighbouring Namibia and South Africa, since 2004 and intend being there again this year for 6 months.
On our last visit, during a period of 21 days, we visited CKGR, Maun, Chobe and Savuti - and in that time spent P4 085.77 on fuel, P1 438 on camping fees (this on top of nights spent with friends in their home) P2 050 on fees visiting the game parks and P2 500 on food and other purchases in the local shops a total of P10 743.77.
If only 1 self drive couple spent this money in your country in 3 weeks you need to consider how much revenue the country is losing by banning us from visiting you.
People like us do not wish to travel with organised tours nor stay in lodges where our days are managed for us. We preferred to go where we wish and spend the time in those places at our leisure. If we have to stay at game lodges to go into the parks then we do not visit and our hard earned money will be spent in other countries.
Margaret and Mike Hingley
(by e-mail)
Accused denies previous criminal charges
A man accused of shop breaking and theft, and who pleaded guilty to the offence, brought the Maun magistrate's court to a halt when he flatly denied that he had any previous criminal offences. Boipheto Keinee (44), of Disaneng, was appearing before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma with other suspects - Moagi Gabantheetse (35), Keleemetse Gasemotho (35) and Olopeng Monnaatsie (37) for the offence. The four accused persons are alleged to have broken into Welcome Enterprises stealing goods valued at P280 000 belonging to Welcome proprietors on March 4, 2009.
Keinee denied some of the previous charges labelled against him by prosecution. He told the court during mention that, fingerprints from the criminal investigation bureau in Gaborone are not his because the alleged fingerprints shown in court are from the Serowe Police, and have got nothing to do with his previous convictions, including recent criminal charges he faces in Maun. He said fingerprints from Serowe are of a person called Boipheto General Keineng, not Boipheto Keinee and said this amounted to a charge being malicious in line with questions regarding mistaken identity, he said.
He is an ex -convict with 8 criminal offences but has only pleaded guilty to 2 counts for shop breaking and theft.
Assistant Superintendent, Edwin Lephalale, from the Criminal Bureau, said that, on January 14, 2010, they received a set of fingerprints from Maun police to conduct tests. The results were classified and compared with previous fingerprints on files from Serowe which bore the same marks and identities relating to the accused person who was denying some of the charges. Bureau procedure allows them to test fingerprints and related features (and) disregard facial identities, names, and ID number. Certain features of our tests linked the accused person with some of the charges laid against him, Lephalale added.
Foroma in his ruling said he is satisfied that the accused pleaded guilty to the charges, and the issue is the fact that, despite his questions of mistaken identities, fingerprints are of the accused person.
He said it is common cause that the Maun police took the fingerprints to the criminal bureau, which matched those of a previous conviction from Serowe in 1986 and the expert had found them matching in all respects. Foroma added that the accused did not challenge the accuracy of the expert. When passing sentence, Foroma said he considered the accused's mitigating factors and that he pleaded guilty to the offence. Te accused did not benefit out of the crime as the property taken was recovered.
Foroma also said he considered the fact that accused is not a first offender and had 8 previous convictions, 5 of which were related to the shop breaking and theft. Foroma added that it has been 18 years since the last previous conviction, so he (accused) had been living a crime free life. Normally such an offence is a serious one which carries a jail term of not exceeding 7 years, and goes hand in hand with corporal punishment, but due to the fact that the accused is over 40 years it will not be considered. The accused was then sentenced to 4 years imprisonment, 2 years wholly suspended for 3 years in which he should not commit a similar offence.
Botswana losing tourism edge
Staff Reporter
Botswana Tourism Board chief executive officer, Mayra Sekgororoane says Botswana is loosing its competitive edge as a favoured tourist destination to its competitors in the region because of unsatisfactory service rendered by some practitioners in the industry. She was speaking at a recent consultative meeting the ministry of Environment. Wildlife and tourism held in Maun to consult on outstanding issues affecting the mobile safari sector.
She said her office has received some unsatisfactory feedback from tourists such as concerns over environmental degradation, large numbers of vehicles used for sightseeing, no speed limits for boats, foreign tourists taking visitors into Botswana without adequate knowledge of the terrain, and clashes between members of the industry in front of tourists. Sekgororoane said that unless something is done about these bad reports the country might loose its competitive edge. She said there are also concerns over boats from Namibia using the Chobe River. She also observed that Botswana park entrance fees are the lowest when compared to most countries in the SADC region.
Botswana fails to benefit from 2010?
Botswana Football Association (BFA) president David Fani, who is part of the local 2010 World Cup Taskforce, says hopes of persuading teams to set up camp in Botswana are hanging by a thread. With half of the 32 teams confirming that they would set up their bases in South Africa, Fani said BFA's campaign to woo teams has been dealt a serious blow. We held discussions with some teams, but after assessing our facilities, most seemed not interested because of the standard of our facilities as well as the artificial turf in most of our stadiums. Some work has been done and is in progress to upgrade our facilities, but I do not know whether it is enough, Fani said. He conceded that their campaign has been dealt a heavy blow as South African provinces also wanted the same teams as did Botswana. Southern African countries are competing with the provinces and their facilities do not compare as well as with South African facilities is ahead. Fani said Botswana was at a disadvantage because most facilities were still under construction.
Most countries might be left licking their wounds if efforts to attract World Cup teams failed to bear fruit. Governments and the private sector in various countries have channeled substantial funds and resources into sprucing up existing facilities while new stadiums have been built, but no other southern African nation has so far managed to convince a World Cup team to set up base on its territory. With the country's initial targets such as Brazil and other leading football nations having already confirmed that they will set up their training camps ahead of the tournament in the host nation, Botswana's hopes are looking dimmer with the passing of each day.
Tshosane's cautious approach to 2012 AFCON
With memories of Botswana's nervy performance in the COSAFA Cup tournaments previously, Zebras coach Stanley Tshosane will take a cautious approach as the senior team begins another journey to be at the 2012 continental football showpiece.
The Zebras were drawn in Group 11 against Tunisia, Malawi and Chad when the Confederation of African Football pooled the teams that will take part in the qualification battle to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Tshosane reckoned that although the draw was a tough one for the Zebras, the qualification bid was not an insurmountable task. The Zebras coach said the senior team would have to draw from major lessons from their campaigns in past tournaments. Tshosane believes it would be foolish for the Zebras to focus all their attention on Tunisia and noted that the team needed to be cautious of the threats posed by the Flames of Malawi who had a brilliant show in Angola and Chad.
Tshosane said although Tunisia were the favourites ahead of the start of the qualifiers over the weekend of September 3-5, he wanted his charges to be wary of Malawi and particularly Chad. Tshosane said he still remembered vividly that the Zebras qualification campaign for the recent AFCON in Angola took a severe knock when they were changes of team management.
We have never played Chad, but we just have to face them and treat them with respect too. We have to be very careful when we play such teams. If we drop points, we will not qualify even if we beat Malawi or Tunisia so it is also about being cautious,'' he added.
Now that the draw is out, we have to work on the foreign-based players and assess them when they come home for the off-season from May onwards. We also have the African nations championships and the local league to use to look at local players. I think we have ample time to prepare. Botswana Football Association president David Fani echoed Tshosane's sentiments on the need to adequately prepare and urged all corporate sectors to help make the Zebras' campaign a success. Meanwhile the Zebras are in camp as they will be playing a friendly against Mozambique in Maputo on Wednesday night. The Zebras leave on Monday. Tshosane said the match is in preparation of the African championships preliminary rounds.
This is a preparatory match ahead of the tournament. We will also be playing against South Africa here in Botswana on March 13 so this is our only opportunity to prepare before the start of the tournament, Tshosane said.
Maun East excels at Constituency finals
Two teams from the Maun East constituency the netball team dubbed the Delta Queens and the volleyball women's team - took the honours in the national Constituency League championships finals at Maun Sports Complex last weekend.
The two won prize money of P9 000 and a trophy.
The two day tournament brought together eight regions from 57 constituencies, with 32 representatives who competed in three sporting codes - football, netball and volleyball.
Delta Queens on Sunday were unstoppable as they smashed Setshweneng from Kweneng South with a 38-17 scoreline in the finals.
In the men's volleyball final, Ekondomboro from Okavango stunned Earth Crackers (Mahalapye East) while Maun East's Crocodile volleyball women dominated the final to beat Real Shooters (Molepolole North).
In football, Smiling Boys, who impressed in the last year's finals, were nowhere to be seen in this show, and rather it was Mmabatho (Tswapong North) who beat All Stars (Mogoditshane) 2-1 to be crowned champions. Botswana National Sports Council regional coordinator Gable Garenamotse urged all to consider and utilise this opportunity to excel in sport. Our government is fighting hard to try and combat wayward behaviour among the youth by introducing such initiatives as this initiative will keep you away from wrong-doings such as crime, alcohol and drug abuse. We need you to be responsible citizens, so make use of these opportunities and also contribute towards the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic through sporting activities, he said.
Akoonyatse takes FIFA health award
Former Young Zebras physiotherapist Basadi Akoonyatse has won the FIFA Football for Health award.
It was presented to her at the international football medicine conference in South Africa last week.
FIFA had invited physicians, physiotherapists and health care providers engaged in caring for players at all levels to submit abstracts discussing prevention and improvement standards of care for football players worldwide.
With only 10 people selected worldwide, Akoonyatse was invited to attend the conference prior to the World Cup event. Over 300 sports physicians, physiotherapists and team physicians of the 32 participating teams in the World Cup were present.
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25 Feb 2010 16:59
Edition 495 19 - 26 February, 2010
Mobile tour operators defend their trade
Staff Reporter
Mobile safari tour operators have spoken out in their defence on why the government should let them continue operating their businesses.
The operators acknowledged last week they had been slow to engage the government on the importance of their sector to the tourism industry but said remarks that the sector is solely responsible for congestion and the environmental degradation in the national parks and game reserves is based on impressions and not facts.
In December last year at the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) meeting, environment, Wildlife and tourism minister Kitso Mokaila caused a row within the sector when he publicly berated operators and holding them accountable for congestion and the environmental degradation of the Moremi Game Reserve and the Chobe National Park.
Mokaila's remarks then that his ministry was to stop issuing licenses to the sector in a bold monitoring exercise sent shock waves through the mobile sector community.
Last week both sides met to find common ground.
HATAB mobile operators representative, Adam Hedges, advised Mokaila to adopt a comprehensive approach including all the lodges, tourists and other contributors to the problem, saying a divisive solution would not help.
He said as the Okavango Delta Management Plan puts emphasis on the need for an objective and a critical review of the entire tourism industry to look at the impact of the mobile, the lodges, hotels and the aviation sectors, the blame should not just be placed at the door of one sector of the industry. He said lodges have more vehicles doing game drives in the parks as compared to the mobile operators. He further explained that in the Chobe alone, mobile safaris use about 30 vehicles for the 10 sites they operate, saying this is less than half the number of game drive vehicles that 4 lodges in Kasane field in the Chobe national park. The mobile representative said during the South African school holidays the number of holidaymakers who drive into the protected areas increases, further increasing congestion on the parks I stand here as a mobile operator with more than 30 years in the industry. I belong to an association of mobile safari guides that operates throughout Africa and I believe from the bottom of my heart that my business in more environmentally friendly than any other form of tourism in Botswana, he said. He told the minister that the safari tour operation is the cornerstone within which the tourism industry thrives the advantage that Botswana has is its diverse wilderness. You cannot get this in all African countries.'
Hedges said it must be noted that the mobile sector played a major role in taking tourist in to the wilderness. When we take tourists on safari, the emphasis is on the wilderness experience, it's about outdoors not the indoors, it's not about glitz. Ours is about showing the country to its best natural advantages. We don't need plunge pools and spas to lure our guests, we just need the wilderness. He said personalities such as actor Morgan Freeman, Britain's Prince Harry and Prince William, actor Tom Cruise and many others prefer the mobile safari when they come to Africa, adding that this shows the importance of the mobile safari to any country's tourism industry. Hedges bemoaned a situation when members of the sector report pirate operations in the parks and these they are not fully investigated by Wildlife authorities. It was suggested that one way the congestion problem could be solved is if the department trained scouts in conjunction with the Botswana Defence Force to man key areas where environmental degradation takes place.
Such a unit can also check foreign vehicles for proper documentation to curb piracy and other dodgy practices going on in the parks, he said.
Earlier, Mokaila had indicated that his ministry was concerned about congestion and unlicensed tour operators rooming the parks.
He said he is aware the mobile sector is not the only one leading to congestion. He said after finishing consulting with all those responsible for the problem, his ministry might make some changes - including the number of the operators operating in the parks. I will not put personal issues before the interest of the country, he said.
FAMILY DENIES FEAR CLAIMS
Former mining boss Louis Nchindo apparently confided to family and close friends weeks before he met his grisly death in the bush around Pandamatenga that he feared being killed.
He claimed to have been tipped off by intelligence sources in Botswana and South Africa that a hit squad was after him and particularly after he made remarkable revelations about a slush fund set up by the giant De Beers Group which was allegedly used to bankroll top politicians.
De Beers, the Oppenheimer diamonds family and the Botswana government own the Debswana diamond mining company.
Nchindo's body was cremated on Tuesday and a memorial service attended by President Ian Khama took place in Gaborone on Wednesday. Also in attendance was former president Sir Ketumile Masire.
Nchindo had apparently died by his own hand, it is said, and the body ripped apart by lions and hyenas.
Earlier this week, the police confirmed that forensic tests carried out on the remains found near Pandamatenga had positively tested to be those of Nchindo.
The police have also revealed that investigations are still continuing and a team of detectives sent to the scene and to Kasane is expected to hand in their report today (Friday).
A flamboyant character, Oxford University graduate Nchindo was the managing director of Debswana formed in 1998.
He was due to face trial on April 6 on 36 charges of corruption that took place while he was at the helm of the company.
Debswana spokeswoman Amilia Malebane said the company couldn't comment on the matter because the family had requested privacy. The company will offer its condolences once funeral arrangements have been announced, she said. Ever since news of his death broke, theories have been bandied about over his demise, with many rumours claiming he had been lured to his death by persons unknown.
However at the service, the public heard a different version of events when Nchindo's son, Garvas, said his father had assured him on the day he went missing Sunday, February 7 - that the information he had been receiving about his life being in danger was false. On the same day that Nchindo allegedly told his son that the information was false, Nchindo left his house in Kasane, never to come back. Some media reports said Nchindo had in last few weeks of his life lived in the shadow of his own death as he was aware that there were people who wanted him dead.
It was also claimed that Nchindo knew who the people were and even sought the protection of President Khama.
It is also alleged that Nchindo got wind of the plot to bring him down from foreign intelligence sources and that certain individuals and a local security organ were after him.
His son, Garvas, says his father had realised that the information that had been creating a sense of insecurity and fear in him was false.
Before the plot could be exposed, Nchindo went to Kasane, reported missing three days later and then found dead three days later in the bush near Pandamatenga.
At the time of his death he was putting the final touches to his autobiography which was to be serialised in a local newspaper. Many assume that this would expose dealings between the Botswana Democratic Party and De Beers.
Nchindo was too smart to die and go away with such an important document, more so that he knew people were after him, said one source.
It is suspected that he might have been lured to the lonely lion-infested spot where he met his death or alternatively, and if indeed he committed suicide, he wanted it to take place in a quiet area of the bush.
This however is dismissed by others who feel he could have easily committed suicide in the comfort of his villa in Kazungula if he wanted to do so.
The body was found at Masedi Farms, 20 km from Pandamatenga, on February 11 by a search party of police and soldiers after his vehicle was seen from the air by a Maun air charter company pilot on February 10. Pilots had been asked to look out for the vehicle.
The body was about 60 metres from the locked vehicle and several items, including his driver's license, identity card and a hunting rifle, were also discovered during the search.
A search team comprising law enforcement agents was later assembled.
As his body was severely mangled, the search team continued to scour the area in the hope that they may discover some of body parts. They were later ordered to abort the search.
Deputy Police Commissioner Kenny Kapinga told reporters he was reluctant to divulge information as to what could have caused Nchindo's death. He kept on saying that the police were investigating a possible suicide.
The police did not find any suicide note.
Threat to kill' cases on the increase
The Maun magistrate's court has heard three different cases of threat to kill. In the first case, Omponye Botshabelo (27), of Moeti ward, Maun, is alleged to have threatened his former girlfriend Ikageng Nkape on February 19, last year, by saying Ke tsile go go bolaya gompieno, ke bo ke ipolaya( I am going to kill you and then kill myself). When giving evidence, Nkape said she and Botshabelo had been going out together from 2007 until they broke up around August, 2008, when she was admitted at the hospital. Botshabelo had argued with her saying he did not understand why she was admitted, and later told her that maybe she had had an abortion.
She further told the court that Botshabelo harassed her at her home village, Gumare, telling her that the shoes and clothes he bought for her belonged to him. I reported him to the Gumare police and we both agreed that we end the relationship and gave back the goods he wanted, she said. On February 19, 2009, while I was at my boyfriend's (the father of her child) with a friend, Nkamogang, I heard a knock at the door and a voice saying Ikageng open that door. Nkape said she realised that it was Botshabelo's voice and asked him what he wanted. He replied: Who did you expect. It's me, open the door, I'm going to kill you today and then kill myself.
She called for help from her neighbour, Kabelo, who advised her not to open the door. The window was not closed then and Botshabelo grabbed the curtain and threw soil all over the room. Nkamogang called the police. Botshabelo giving unsworn evidence told court that on the night of February 19 he went to Nkape's place in Boseja to get his belongings but she told him to go away. I went to the window as it was not closed, asked her to open for me, Ikageng threw water over my face and told me to go away, threatening to bring a weapon, he said. Neighbours then came out of their houses and grabbed him and he left, only to be arrested the following day while at work. I was detained in the police cells for 5 days. The case was then registered and Nkape told her parents and my parents about our case. I then asked for forgiveness, both parents agreed and did write a letter which was stamped and taken to court as Nkape's family said they wanted the charge withdrawn. Judgment will be on February 26. In a separate case, Modisaotsile Norman Makopo (23), of Legonono ward, Gumare, appeared before Maun magistrate Mmoloki Sibanda for the offence of threat to kill.
The particulars were that on March 22 last year in Gumare he threatened Mpoke Karapo by saying Mpoke o kae, ke tla mmolaya kagore ke ene a neng a mpogile ka di chain The prosecutor, Ogomoditse Soonyana, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, told the court that investigations were complete and the state would call 4 witnesses. The accused said he would also call 4 witnesses during trial on March 25. In a third case, Meleko Mohumanegi (39), of Tubu, has appeared before Maun magistrate Mmoloki Sibanda for a threat to kill offence. It is alleged that on March 14 last year he threatened Tuduetso Noah at Tubu by uttering the words ke tsile go go bolaya meaning I am going to kill you or words to that effect.
When giving sworn evidence, Mohumanegi told the court that Noah came to his yard and knocked at the door - I told him I was alone and still bathing. Noah allegedly replied: It's you who have no respect. He said an argument then started and he told him that he was going to beat him with a log. He was surprised when Noah reported him to the police.
In cross examination, prosecutor Isaac Mamadi asked Mohumanegi where one Pabalelo was by the time Noah arrived at the yard. In reply told him that she was at her house, but in the same yard. Mamadi then did put to him that he was lying when he said he was alone, and asked him if he regarded Pabalelo as nobody. Yes. I could consider her as uncounted as she is mentally disturbed. That is why I did not consider her as even if he was there. It meant nothing to me as she is disturbed mentally.
Judgement is to be delivered on March 26.
There was negligence in Sephiri shooting'
By Gaolebogwe Moipei and Kelereeditse Kedisitswe
An investigating officer in a case in which Mothusinyana Sephiri was shot dead by the police at his home in Sanyedi, Maun, in January 2009 has revealed that there was some element of negligence and recklessness on the part of the police officer who was handling the gun. Assistant Commissioner Kesetsenao Tsweneetsile, head of CID North, based in Francistown, told the Maun magistrate's court during the inquest hearing that on January 5, 2009, he was called to investigate a case in which the police had shot a man in Maun.
He said on arrival he met Senior Superintendent Robert Masibi in Maun, who briefed him on the circumstances of the matter. I wanted to see all the officers who were on patrol on the night of shooting. Unfortunately they were not available. I then made arrangements to meet Sephiri's family and two members from the family were assigned to work with us. The family then told us that they will be represented by Lecha Associates, he said. He went back to the police station and found four officers whom he wanted to see earlier on - Sergeant Nyame, Constable Molefhe, special constable Modise and Constable Rabula- but Sebetela, who shot Sephiri, was on sick leave.
I then asked the four officers the instructions they were given on patrol. In their responses they said during their parade they were briefed to concentrate on Sanyedi and Boyei wards as these were ones with high criminality records.
Nyame was the section leader and the driver of the combi during the patrol and had been issued with an AK47 rifle with 21 bullets. On their patrol they met with Peloyame Oteng who said that two unknown suspects wanted to rob him. He then gave a description of the attackers and told to report to the police.
He went on to say that the officers continued with their patrol, and met a suspect who met the description they got from Oteng.
According to Tsweneetsile, the officers told him that they ordered the suspect to stop but he refused and instead ran off. They followed him with their mini bus.
Sebetela left the vehicle, chasing the suspect on foot and fired a warning shot on Nyame's instructions. A few minutes later, while chasing the suspect, he accidentally pulled the trigger and consequently the shot killed the suspect.
When asked by the prosecutor why Sebetela was given the rifle by Nyame, in his response he said Nyame was driving, and saw him (Sebetela) as competent.
In my interview with Sebetela I insisted that he was not competent enough to use the rifle but he (Sebetela) denied that he was not confident but rather that the shot was accidentally made. I concluded that there was an element of negligence and recklessness on the part of Sebetela, he said.
The rifle was taken to the forensic laboratories for examination, and the results confirmed that the gun was functioning well in a good state to be used, added Tsweneetsile. Another witness, Akanyang Joseph Abueng, a soldier with the Botswana Defence Force in the Military Police wing, told that he was called by the investigating officer in this matter to explain how the AK47 rifle is handled and operated since he was familiar with the safety and handling of firearms.
Abueng told the court that during his interview with Constable Sebetela, to demonstrate how he fired the gun, Sebetela said they were on patrol on that fateful night, and they saw the suspect and stopped him. The suspect continued running, and Sub - Inspector, Gaositwe Nyame who was the section leader ordered him to fire a warning shot. By then the rifle was on his shoulder facing upward and he fired one bullet in the air. The suspect continued running bent over at a fence. Sebetela then went where the suspect was thought to be, searched with his hand to check if there was a fence and according to him there was none.
He walked through to follow the suspect only to find a line which tripped him and another that was shoulder high, and accidentally the rifle fired another bullet. The safety cash was not on safe mode. Abueng said that there it was highly possible for the gun to fire if the trigger was disturbed by anything and if a person is not well trained he can shoot by mistake. During your assessment with the investigating officer did you see Sebetela as a well trained person? Tsweneetsile asked. Mhandu responded that Sebetela had told him that he used an AK47 rifle while training at Otse College.
Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma postponed the inquest hearing because two other witnesses did not appear.
The inquest continues on March 18.
The Nchindo Enigma
The untimely death of Louis Nchindo continues to reverberate across the country and southern Africa.
The remains of the one-time kingpin of diamond giant Debswana was found in a forest about 100km from Kasane. The body had been mauled by lions and hyenas, and parts were missing.
Many questions remain about the manner of his death.
Did he commit suicide because he had been driven to the depths of despair following his recent revelations about alleged malpractices within successive governments of this country, or was he lured to his death?
What person would deliberately lock his vehicle in a known lion-infested forest and walk to his death?
A second question is why did he reportedly go to Victoria Falls the day before his death and who did he visit?
A third is was there a person or persons involved who perhaps lured him to a lonely spot and arranged for others to be at that place in order to lead him to his death?
Why did he have a cup of tea at a riverside lodge and then drive off, alone, to his death that fateful afternoon?
What revelations did he make in his recently completed autobiography, reputedly in the hands of a weekly newspaper?
Is that manuscript a powder keg which could topple powerful figures in the Botswana establishment?
Whatever the answers, this death in the African bush has all the hallmarks of a classic detective novel.
So how many readers literally fell out of bed at 1.27am on Monday when the loudest crack of lightning Shuffle has heard in many a year rattled windows, shook houses and plunged the whole town into darkness?
The storm we will have to dub it the Valentine Storm was described by one resident as the worst she has experienced in 48 years of living in Maun while another also said it was the worst he had seen in a lifetime here.
The thunder and lightning was awesome indeed, frightening young children and dogs, not to mention adults who rushed about in the darkness of their homes checking if windows and walls were intact.
Then of course as dawn broke so reality crept in no power. And that was the case for most of the day on Monday as, area by area, Botswana Power Corporation restored power.
Many major businesses used generators to lighten supermarkets for instance but others had to close their doors until power was restored. We ourselves were unable to do much work on Monday as the power cut also knocked out internet and e-mail facilities as well as silencing our press. Insurers say it was an Act of God so there is not much one can do about it.
Maun's taxi drivers just cannot get it into their heads that there are rules of the road.
Shuffle has to support the idea of a points register for errant motorists, and thinks that the first to lose their points and eventually their licences will be taxi drivers combi or sedan.
Of course, one mustn't forget BX drivers and those from the Department of Water Affairs who break the rules every day. Ask any law abiding motorist what it is like to have trucks on your tail day in and day out by these cowboys of the road.
A reader has contacted Shuffle to tell about some really bad driving by taxi drivers.
She writes that at about 5.20pm on February 11 she was driving towards the Disaneng turnoff and had just passed the bridge. There was a solid line of traffic right up to the Disaneng junction. A white coloured taxi - I think it was a Corolla, Reg. No. B958AKS - overtook me and tried to squeeze into the small gap between my car and the car in front of me. When he realised he couldn't get in, he then proceeded to overtake the whole line of vehicles in the face of oncoming traffic. By some miracle there was no accident. He was turning right into the Francistown road, she said.
But that was not all.
The next day at about 9.40am she was stopped at the Disaneng junction waiting to turn right towards town. There was a learner driver in front who was waiting to turn right. This time it was a white Toyota Minibus, Reg. No. B746AKG which was in the left-hand lane and turned right on the inside of the learner driver who was then turning. This must have given this very new learner driver one hell of a fright.
There could have been a very nasty accident here and he was entirely in the wrong but I'm sure he thought he was very COOL! He then proceeded to pull in on the left hand side of the road to town to drop passengers.
Shuffle agrees with the complainant's view that these people should not be allowed on the road on a bicycle let alone be responsible for the lives of innocent passengers and fellow road-users.
Helicopter search for illegal immigrants
Maun residents in the Boseja, Disaneng and Borolong area watched early on Monday as a police helicopter assisted with ground searches by security forces for alleged illegal immigrants and known criminals. It was the first time, it is believed, that the police helicopters have operated in the Maun area.
The search was part of the Botswana Police's special operations towards reducing crime, with a number of people arrested countrywide, says police headquarters.
There were 45 arrests for various offences including receiving stolen property, being in possession of stolen property, shop breaking and theft.
The ground search in Maun was conducted by a large group of officers who went from house-to-house checking on residents' residential and work permits if they were non-citizens.
Pension money robbers held
PALAPYE Police have arrested three men for robbing a Botswana Post vehicle last week.
They took P356 000 when they stopped the vehicle at gunpoint on the Kgagodi-Maunatlala road while it was transporting the money from Palapye to Maunatlala in order to pay pensions. The men all Batswana between 26 and 52 years of age were taken into custody as a result of a police operation in the Tumasera and Palapye areas. A handgun, two cellphones and a motor car suspected of having been used in the robbery were recovered. The men have made two appearances in court to date. In Gaborone, a Senyawe man aged 36, was arrested after allegedly robbing a Choppies supermarket at Tlokweng of P133 000 as employees were preparing to close for the day.
Letters to the Editor
Continual battle to get a driver's licence
Sir, - I know it has been a problem for many years in Maun but I have officially reached the point where the process in obtaining a driver's licence in Maun has physically drained my body and soul of any respect or appreciation for the road transport department.
Yes, officials working in the offices are friendly men and women but surely the higher powers should be taken down a notch or two and should recognize the incapability's of their government departments!
I have been applying for a driver's licence since March 2009. I failed my original learner's license by a mark then went to reapply for the test a couple of weeks later (when I had time to stand and queue with the other 130 people!!).
Shockingly, the next date I could re-sit was 2 nd September 2009! I passed, got my Learners which is valid for 6 months and went to book my yard test low and behold the next available date was wait for it, 8 th December! Three months later (and half of my Learners wasted).
Needless to say I passed that process a process that took from 8am to 3pm! Anyhow, I was on my way. Went to book my final test, the Road test well, what do you know, they had NO dates. So I phone daily all the way through January. No dates!
Finally I phone at the end of January and they have 2 dates the 10 th and 11 th February. So I rush to book only to find I'm number 160 on the list. I had no time to wait as I had to work. This being a Friday and, of course, the department is shut over a weekend.
Finally, on Monday with the help of my father who offered to wait on my behalf from 6am till 3pm, I get a test. Guess what! The 10 th and 11 th dates are full, so they book me for the 18 th February (just to remind you now that my Learners expires on March 4 th .
I practice. Take a couple of lessons and finally D-Day has arrived. I psyche myself up, wake up bright and early to register so I can be near the front. I arrive and I wait for 10-15 minutes when suddenly a gentleman comes to tell me that the test has been cancelled. Why? Because the examiner has had to travel back to Gaborone to sort out personal matters regarding his belongings being left in a hotel!
Now what aggravates me more is not only was I not notified whatsoever until I was at the test area but now I have to wait a week.
Surely the examiner should get back to Maun to do his job, and play catch up on the weekend as well or at the very latest on the Monday?
By the time I take my test (if nothing goes wrong) I have less then a week until my learners expires whereby I have to re-do the entire process once again! It is about time something is done. If the rest of the world can operate a simple system successfully surely Maun can sort something out.
Needless to say I will not give up my learners without a fight as the 6 months was wasted by the department and not by me.
I do feel that it's about time Maun speaks up! No one seems to be doing it and merely accepting this situation. Gaborone and other locations seem to have a little more organisation.
WHAT A MESS
Maun
(Name and address supplied)
Editor's Note: This newspaper has over the years received many complaints about poor service when people take their driving tests .
Awesome lightning plunges town in darkness
The awesome skies that told of a major storm brewing on Sunday night.
Allan Ngaka stands next to his burned out house after lightning struck a nearby tree.
The massive thunder storm that broke over Maun on Sunday night is said by long-time residents to be the worst they have experienced here.
Fierce lightning and rolling thunder woke the town at about 1am and at 1.27am a flash of lightning caused a power cut that lasted in parts of the town until Monday afternoon.
Trees were felled as a high wind accompanied the thunder and in one instance, a lightning strike resulted in the burning down of a Riverside house. Heavy rainfall was recorded in some parts of the district, with at least 30mm in the Boro area. According to statistics kept at a private weather station in Disaneng, 113.2mm of rain has fallen so far this month. More rain is forecast for this week. On Saturday, a transformer at Matlapaneng exploded, interrupting power supplies over a wide area and on Sunday night and Monday, technicians from the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) had their hands full as businesses and residents wanted to know when power would be restored. It is understood that because of the severity of the outages, the supply had to be restored area by area.
In the central business district, supermarkets and banks with generators were among the only businesses that could operate effectively. Internet and e-mail connections were seriously affected.
Lightning struck a house in Maun, gutting the building. All the occupant's belongings were destroyed.
Thirty-two-year-old Allen Ngaka, of Riverside, said at about 2am on Monday lightning struck a tree next to the house and set the house's thatched roof on fire.
A neighbour and his family tried to stop the fire and called the police who arrived at scene. They managed to put out the fire but the damage had already been done.
Ngaka was not in the house at the time and had been stranded at a bar when the storm broke.
In Sitatunga, it is reported that a farmer lost five goats due to lightning.
Another huge shortage of water
By Molefi Manyepedza and Kelereeditse Kedisitswe
Maun residents are again facing a situation where water is virtually unobtainable and it could be back to the time when shortages were the order of the day. The shortages started last week and by today (Friday) the situation had not normalised.
Only a few areas are receiving water to an extent, but Kubung, Thitoyamokodi, Thogoyatonki, Botshabelo, Kgosing, Mabudutsa and Boseja have had virtually no water. In these areas, people wake as early as 3 am in the hope of getting a drop from the stand pipes.
For the entire week, the Department of Water Affairs has not communicated a word to residents about the problem.
In an interview with The Ngami Times this week, Water Affairs station manager Mpateng Gojamang said the shortage was a result of a water pipe that burst at Kunyere. He said his team attended to the problem and finished the job on Friday. Immediately water came into stand-pipes but with low pressure. It then stopped. Normally a full recovery of water to stand pipes takes some time, he said. According to Gojamang, an explosion at electricity transformers on Saturday which cut power to many areas, some until the following morning - led to water shortages as water reticulation depended on power for booster pumps and to pump water.
Gojamang said the department is waiting for a generator which will be on stand-by and used in cases where the Botswana Power Cooperation (BPC) has a problem with its transformers. Maun is supplied by four wellfields in Matsaudi, Shashe, Tsutsubega and Kunyere, of which two are operational at the same time while the other two are off-line.
Some residents fear that the water shortage has led to people collecting polluted river water which may lead to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.
Customary law fails children'
Woman against Rape (WAR) says loopholes in Botswana laws leave some child sexual abuse cases go unpunished, and lets the abusers escape with impunity.
Speaking at a workshop to sensitise students living with disabilities at Thuso Rehabilitation Centre, the deputy coordinator at WAR, Mpho Mahopolo, said although common law criminalises the act of having sex with children below the age of 16, under customary law the practice is allowed. There are instances where girls below 16 are married under the customary law and are sexually abused but the police cannot lay a charge on the offenders because the customary law allows this, she said. She called for a change in the legislation to plug the loophole saying Botswana should not create a bad picture to be seen as a country promoting rape - all those responsible must be brought to justice if we are to be rape free society, she said
Maun cop under investigation
A Maun police officer attached to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions office in Maun is understood to be under investigation on allegations he sold valuable documents to suspects who are on a trial at Maun magistrate's court in a diamond case.
After weeks of probing the Maun police station for the details on the investigations, a senior CID in Maun has confirmed to reporters that investigations are going on against the officer but said no charge had been laid as yet.
The officer was briefly held in custody a few weeks back but is now back on duty.
Legotlhwane residents appeal to councilor
Legotlhwane ward residents have told their local councillor that their health post has never been properly utilised because of uncertainties surrounding its operation.
They said this during a kgotla meeting addressed by area councillor Tapoloso Mosika who was briefing them on the last full council's debates as well as to obtain suggestions for the next full council meeting, scheduled for March.
Mosika told residents that the North West District Council has been worried about some people who still cannot allow malaria residual spraying crews into their yards despite a high rate of malaria infections and deaths. He said it does not make sense to have some houses sprayed while access is denied to others. Mosika said it was also disappointing to hear that there are some residents who do not offer assistance whenever there are veld fires and other natural disasters because they want to be compensated, saying it shows some people are irresponsible and do not care about the welfare of their livestock, which will at the end be left with no grazing zones.
He said also Sexaxa settlement still remains ungazetted even though the last census showed that with the then-population of 534 it qualified to be a village.
It had not been gazetted as the NWDC had said the settlement was to be incorporated into Maun.
Sexaxa residents have not seen any developments in their area and do not have access to any social amenities, Mosika said. As a result children have to walk long distances on a daily basis to and from Matlapana Primary School, resulting in some absconding because they cannot walk that distance in scorching heat. There is currently a review of local authority plans and this will also enable the allocation of plots as well as developing the area. One of the residents, Aaron Setilo, agreed some residents do not assist when there are disasters. He said this is so because they are discouraged by some officials who brag about the huge claims which they get upon completion of the works carried out.
He also said Legotlhwane residents have to travel long distances to seek medical help at Sedie clinic and that most of the time they return home without medication. The only ambulance at the clinic is transporting patients from the health post to Sedie clinic and not to the hospital. Another resident, Boiketo Moxa, admitted that their houses have not been sprayed because they always have to empty their houses so that spraying could be carried out. There is no way that we can leave our valuables in the open when we are not sure of the exact dates when these people are going to show up. We have errands to run, we plough our fields and so forth so there is no way we can leave our property in the open for days. They should take into consideration that we might be robbed and that there is a possibility of our property being soiled by the heavy rains, he said. Area headman Bontsibokae Letota complained about taxi operators who have on numerous occasions failed to complete routes, regardless of the number of passengers they have on board. He said people have to pay full fares, only to be dropped off before they could reach their destination. We have witnessed this, and it has become very common with Maun Route 7 combis which go through Disaneng ward. This is very unfair because people are forced to walk the rest of the way, sometimes in the dark. Many have fallen prey to rapists and thieves, he added.
Copper mine costs escalate
The costs of the Discovery Metal (DML) Boseto copper project near Maun have risen to US$150 million (P1.02-billion) on the back of increased contingency for price changes in capital components. With resources of 60.4 million tonnes of copper, DML plans to open Botswana's largest copper mine in 2012, producing 25 000 tonnes of the base metal annually. It will also provide 700 000 ounces of silver annually. Last week preliminary findings from the ongoing Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS), showed that capital costs for Boseto have increased from the US$131-million (P895 million) estimated last year, on the need for additional contingency for price changes related to capital components. Another component of the anticipated capital costs is the alternative power generation mooted for the project. While the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has indicated that Boseto will likely link up to the national grid by 2012, DML also has plans for self-generation which could include diesel generators or a small coal-fired power station.
Parliament hears of Nata's water problems
Nata's ailing water supply system was to be debated in parliament this week.
This follows a written question submitted by area MP, R B Makosha, who had asked the Minister of Local Government, Lebonamang Mokalake, whether he was aware that the water reticulation scheme in the village was connected 20 years ago when the village had only half of its present population. He said the old pipes frequently broke down making it impossible for neighbouring villages Maposa and Manxtoae to obtain water and forcing people to drink untreated water from the river.
Cop shot suspect in self defence'
A police investigator in a case in which a police constable shot and killed a suspected thief in 2007 in Maun has told the Maun magistrate court during an inquest hearing that the constable shot in self defence.
Detective Sub-Inspector Phelindaba Gumede, of Maun CID, said that on September 1, 2007, he was assigned to investigate a shooting incident which occured at Riverside ward in Maun. The shooting had been by police officers who were on duty.
Among them were constables Mokobe, Mothaba and Salani who were also assigned to attend to a break-in and theft at the Mogobe complex the same night.
He said the suspects had run off when the police arrived at the scene and the patrol decided to trace them by following their foot prints which led them to various locations in Maun. In an intensified struggle for arrest, officers ran in different directions with Mokobe and Mothaba in the same direction. They came across a man and ordered him to stop as they suspected him to be one of the suspects.
He is said not to have failed the orders and instead ran away.
Mokobe stayed behind while the other officer set off in pursuit. The suspect, realising he was being pursued by the other officer, turned violent and started throwing stones at Mokobe. Mokobe fired a shot at the suspect as he wanted to disarm him. Consequently the suspect was shot. I visited the scene as I was investigating the matter, he told the inquest. I went to the first scene at Mogobe complex, found that the front window was broken and had been used as an entry and exit by the suspects. I contacted the shop owner who disclosed that some property had been stolen from the shop. I then went to the shooting scene accompanied by Mokobe and Detective Constable Serumola. We examined the scene in order to get vital evidence. I was able to retrieve an empty cartridge to determine whether the cartridge was discharged from the AK4 7 rifle (carried by Mokobe). I also collected stones and blood samples on the ground for the deceased and Mokobe to establish the origin of the blood stains on the ground. I had reason to believe that the blood at the scene was from Mokobe who bled after being hit with a stone by the suspect. The prosecutor, Nkaelang Lekgoa, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, asked Gumede whether a constable is allowed to take a decision to shoot. Gumede said Mokobe was given the rifle by the patrol team leader Sergeant Mbi, and added that shooting at a suspect also depended on the situation at hand - The same situation Mokobe found himself in. The suspect was trying to disarm him and was attacking him, he said. Prosecutor: Did you discover what led the officers' suspicion that the unknown man was the suspect? Gumede said the suspect failed to stop when the police ordered him to do so. Nkaelang asked whether there any warning shots made, to which Gumede responded by saying a single shot was fired and that it had killed the suspect. Gumede told the court the exhibits were still at the forensics laboratory. The inquest proceedings were postponed to next month, when the exhibits will be available to the court.
Maun physiotherapist wins funding from KBL
By Sarah Mbaeva
A Maun professional businesswoman was one of the four entrepreneurs who won funding for their businesses under the Kgalagadi Breweries Trust programme, Kick Start. The Kick Start competition targets youth who are in business and those willing to venture into business. They have to be aged between 18 and 30. Tebogo Modiagane, 28, director of Ngami Physiotherapy, was awarded P99 000 in funding last month in the annual competition is sponsored by Kgalagadi Breweries Limited and Botswana Breweries Limited.
Modiagane told that the competition started last September. She was one of 10 entrepreneurs selected for a two week business skills training course in Gaborone.
After they submitted business plans, the 10 were interviewed and she and three other applicants were awarded grants. Modiagane says she intends to invest it in buying equipment and in marketing her recently-established business.
After completing her BSc in Physiotherapy at the University of Western Cape in South Africa, she worked at Francistown's Nyangabgwe hospital and then at Selebi Phikwe hospital before deciding to open her own practice.
She chose Maun because of its business potential as the tourism capital.
She runs the only private physiotherapy practice in Maun, specialising in muscular skeletal conditions, massages and weight management programmes. She employs two people - her assistant and a cleaner and intends to appoint another physiotherapist next month.
Ngami Physiotherapy is situated in Maun at Ntshemang's Complex next to Tawana Land Board.
Youth Cops' to go on patrol
By Basadi Morokotso
Botswana Police has started the recruitment of youth volunteers who will soon go on duty working hand in hand with the police and special constables at different policing clusters which were recently formed in Maun to help curb the escalating crime rate. According to Maun Airport police station commander Kenny Badumetse, the selection of the youth was based on merit, considering their involvement in crime prevention committees and other activities within various clusters. Those identified are young men and women between the ages of 18 to 29 whose work contracts will be on a six month contract. On completion of the period, they will make way for another group which will go through the same criteria of selection. Currently a total of 210 young people have been identified. Each of the town's seven clusters will have 30y youths patrolling the streets and performing any other duties which they will be expected to undertake. He said the idea to select Maun as a pilot area followed reports concerning the high crime rate which Man has been experiencing. Seven major villages in the country are also involved in the scheme.
Although it is not yet known whether the youth will be uniformed, Badumetse said they are looking at some sort of identification. The group was this week undergoing medical checks as well as being screened for finger prints. Their assignment will get under way soon.
FMD and water questions asked in parliament
Important questions are being asked in parliament this week by Ngami Member of Parliament T G Habano about water reticulation and the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
The questions are due to be answered today (Friday) by the ministers of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources and of Agriculture. Habano wants to know when tertiary lines will be connected to the main trunk lines in the Gumare water and waste water systems and why have the main trunk lines been lying idle underground from 2002.
The question also asks whether or not the contractor was paid for the job and what action is being taken to correct the situation.
Regarding the foot and mouth disease outbreak, Habano wants to know what are the long term strategies and programmes put in place to eradicate the disease and to prevent further outbreaks and contact between buffaloes and cattle.
He also wants to know what is currently being done about the impact of the disease in Ngamiland district.
In addition, a further question is whether the ministry was considering the erection of a buffer zone between the present buffalo fence and communal areas as that will reduce further foot and mouth disease outbreaks.
FNB sees economic downturn
First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) has warned of a depressed business mood in the coming six months as the economy would be struggling to come out of the downturn. We expect margins to squeeze further and our margins will remain under pressure. Non interest revenue will remain under pressure and most of the businessincluding growth margins on loans and advancesbecause of the current economic conditions, FNBB Finance director Steve Bogatsu said at the company's presentation of the audited results to the end of December. The results showed that profit for the period edged down to P204.9 million as it took a battering from the effects of the global economic downturn.
Indications are that the economy is recovering, albeit at a slow pace. The diamond industry has recovered somewhat but remains volatile and extremely uncertain. The non mining sector is also beginning to come under pressure as government spending slows and consumer income takes strain, the bank said.
Land Board freezes borehole allocation
The Tawana Land Board has resolved to freeze the allocation of boreholes in the entire Ngamiland district for a year. The resolution was passed in September last year and the implementation will be effected on March 1. It was suspended so that the backlog of applications received could be dealt with. The freeze comes about as a result of insufficient information to locate some existing boreholes in the district. A feasibility study scheduled to be done in the current financial year will determine the land available for borehole use in Ngamiland. Applications received before March 1 will be allocated on merit and simultaneously the Land Board will be cautious with further misallocation.
The freeze applies to open pit, water points and kakwete boreholes. Kakwete is a traditional borehole dug 200 metres away from a stream. Field boreholes will continue to be allocated. Applications received before March 1 which tamper with the standardised distance of 6km apart will be reserved for the feasibility study results. The Land Board has resolved to allocate boreholes within the radius of 6km from 8km due to a shortage of land. Tawana Land Board regrets the inconvenience caused to the public, a statement said.
Arab money sought for Kasane airport
The government has turned to the international money market to part fund the renovations and improvements to Kasane airport.
The airport is one of a number that are being revamped. The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo, has introduced to parliament, the Kasane Airport Project Loan Authorisation Bill to authorise the loan from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA).
The amount of the loan has not been divulged.
ABEDA was set up by the Arab League in 1973 and its facilities are open to all African countries which are members of the Organisation for African Unity (now the African Union), but not to Arab League members.
Maun hosts national constituency games
Nhabe region will host the finals of the national constituency championships at Maun Sports Complex over the weekend. The two day tournament will feature teams from 8 regions with 57 constituencies battling for the top prize money in football, volleyball and netball. The main aim of the games is to keep the youth meaningfully involved so that they turn away from social ills such as crime and alcohol abuse.
Delegates began arriving in Maun on Thursday and the games start at 7.30 am on Saturday with guest speaker Gable Garenamotse. Other guests expected include the District Commissioner, kgosi and Members of Parliament.
The finals take place on Sunday, and out of the 32 teams in football, volleyball and netball, the winners from each category will walk away with prize money of P9 000 while the runners up will get a P5 000.00 prize.
According to Maun District Sports Coordinator Moatlhodi Phetogo, the games are targeting out-of-school people aged 40 years and below.
Maun Terrors humbled at home
Orapa Wanderers maintained their dominance when they secured a 4-2 win over Maun Terrors in a national 1 st division North game at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday.
The visitors scored three goals in the first half, and that was far beyond the home teams reach. Maxwell Mburayi scored a brace and secured the points for the Orapa based outfit which is currently leading the league. The visitors got off to a cracking start and opened the scoring through a brilliant goal by Mburayi. The move was initiated from the middle of the park where Wanderers dominated and outplayed their opponents with former Nhabe region league player Mogae Jabu Segwae providing a great pass to hand Mburayi a sight of goal.
A few minutes after conceding the lead, Terrors had a chance to draw level when Moses Kobamelo was found unmarked inside the 18 yard box, but the Orapa defence reacted quickly to clear. Just past the 30-minute mark, Wanderers continued to dominate and scored a second through Nyaladzi Joseph while Mburayi scored again before the halftime whistle. After the break the misery kept on for Terrors as they failed to handle the visitors who attacked from all angles. The best opportunities for the home side came in the second half, after the introduction of industrious midfielder Kagiso Mumbush Moatshe, his dazzling runs and dribbling skills, shook Wanderers defence and were forced to pack paddle.
Terrors hardly had a sniff at the Wanderers goal, with Mothathobi's attempt in the 57th minute as the only real chance they had. He was brought down inside the box and won a penalty which was converted by Fredrick Mutukwa (1-3). The Orapa side had further opportunities through Jabu Segwae, Lekhane and Olekanye Gaogakwe. Moatshe had his name on the score sheet (2-3) after Wanderers defence held the ball inside the penalty box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Terrors had chances of fighting for a point, but they were denied as Wanderers scored the 4 th and final goal through Gaogakwe to bury all their hopes. This weekend Terrors have yet another mammoth task. They are travelling to Francistown were they will face Tasc on Saturday. The battle for top place will see Wanderers playing Miscellaneous at Orapa. The relegation battle still continues as Palapye United face other relegation candidates Orapa Bucs and Sua Flamingoes clash with Great North Tigers.
Fighting for the ball. Delta Winds defender Calvin T Mangwiro fighting for the ball with Maun Tigers striker Kesaobaka Mensah Dikole in an Nhabe regional league match played at Disaneng on Sunday afternoon. The match ended in a goalless draw.
(Picture by Edwin Hwera)
Makgabisanaga in a real dogfight
Makgabisanaga's search for points they hope will save them from relegation continues over the weekend as they face yet another stern test against tricky Delta Winds at Disaneng on Saturday.
Their chances of survival were dealt a heavy blow when they went down 2-1 to Gunners of Khwai and to make matters worse, fellow relegation candidates Horizon Stars lost their match against Maun BMC. Makgabisanaga will be up against it when they face Delta Winds, who had a brilliant game as they played a 0-0 draw last week with log leaders Maun Tigers. They have lost most of their experienced and reliable players, but still have good players who can quickly adjust to the rigours that will come in the relegation scrap.
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12 Feb 2010 10:26
Edition 494 12 Febuary - 19 Febuary 2010
Climate change was one of the many subjects that came up for discussion at the wetlands symposium held in Maun last week. To illustrate the problem, a drama group from Makalamabedi entertained delegates with a play that discouraged the releasing of emissions that lead to global warming and which would in turn be harmful to the environment, including wetlands.
VAT up but no wage hikes
VAT increases by 2% to 12% from April 1 and there will be no salary increase or no inflation adjustment for civil servants during the 2010/2011 financial year.
The Budget speech by Finance minister Kenneth Matambo on Monday also said government revenues had not recovered to pre-recession levels.
The last time government increased salaries for employees was in April 2008. Then it was by 15% following a salaries review commission, which also introduced scarce skills allowance and a recommendation by the National Employment, Manpower and Incomes Council whose mandate included advising government on remuneration of the public service.
Matambo that the adjustment of salaries would be considered once the economic situation improves.
Several levies have also been adjusted on the basis that they have not kept up with the costs of providing associated services. These include the threshold for VAT registration will be raised from P250 000 to P500 000 and a requirement that commercial parastatals pay 25% of their profits to government will be strictly enforced.
Along with a proposal to abolish the two tier corporate tax systems from July, to be replaced by a final company tax rate of 25%, the final withholding tax on dividends paid to residents and non-residents be reduced from 15% to 7.5%.
“The combined effect of all these,” he said,” will be an increase in non-mineral income tax revenue of about five per cent.”
Parliament was also told that the favourable projection for inflation provided scope for maintenance of expansionary monetary policy to support domestic economic recovery, Mathambo presented a deficit budget of P12.118 billion which is 12.2% of forecast 2010/11 GDP of P99.70 billion. The total revenues and grants are forecast at P27.077 billion, whilst total expenditure and net lending are forecast at P39.194 billion.
This time around government will finance the deficit by a combination of drawing down on cash balances which were accumulated in surplus years, and also by borrowing, largely on the domestic capital market.
In Maun, Stanbic Bank in association with PC Business Services/Meyer & Associates hosted a Budget Review session on Tuesday with the business community.
The session heard how the global economic recession had affected the country’s economy which has lead to the deficit budget, and also two deficit budgets expected for the next two financial years.
The recession also led to some radical decisions being made by government in order to pull in revenues. The tourism industry is also worried that should the recession become worse and worse on their businesses, there is no contingency plan by government to rescue them.
NCHINDO FOUND DEAD
Former Debswana managing director and flamboyant businessman Louis Goodwill Nchindo has been found dead in the Pandamatenga area.
The cause of death has not been revealed by police who have clamped down on any information being given to the media. His vehicle was found, locked, in the bush and yesterday his body was found by a search party. His wallet, glasses and other possessions were found nearby.
Nchindo was last seen by staff at his Kazungula home at 4pm on Sunday. He was reported missing on Monday by his son, Garvas, 39, after he had not returned telephone calls, which raised his son’s suspicions. Three mobile phones were later found by his son locked in a safe at the family villa in Kazungula.
The finding of the body has sent shock waves through influential Botswana political and business circles.
Nchindo, 69, a one-time close friend of former president Festus Mogae and other top politicians, was facing multiple criminal charges on allegations including forgery and fraud. He was also believed to have been privy to many of the personal affairs of leading politicians and businessmen. Piecing together this week’s dramatic events, Kasane police Superintendent Sazi Mphinyane said Nchindo snr visited Kasane from February 4 to 7. He was last seen at 4pm on Sunday driving his white 4x4 Toyota Hilux, registration number B 610 AKM.
Police investigations showed that Nchindo, who also has a home in Sandton, South Africa, did not check in at any of the local hotels and had not left the country through immigration check points.
A team of police officers from Kazungula, Pandamatenga and Kasane, supported by the police airwing, then started a search for him. His vehicle was found parked in the bush and then on Thursday morning his body was found.
Police headquarters in Gaborone placed an immediate clampdown on news of the discovery, but sources confirmed Nchindo was dead. His wife, Andrea, refused to speak to
Nchindo, former Debswana group secretary Joseph Malope Matome, Debswana communications chief Jacob Sesinyi, Louis Garvas Nchindo, a company co-owned by Nchindo and his son, called Tourism Development Consortium, Najmuddin Kader and Golconda Holdings, a company co-owned by Nchindo and Kader, were two years ago taken to court on forgery, obtaining by false pretences, conspiracy to defraud and giving false information. The trial is scheduled for April 6 at the Village Magistrate Court, Gaborone, and was set down to last for a month. According to count 2 on the charge sheet, Louis Goodwill Nchindo and the fourth accused, Joseph Malope Matome, on or about December 21, 2000, acted with intent to defraud the Botswana government of title to plot 55720, Gaborone, (and) knowingly gave false information to Festus G Mogae, then-President of Botswana by representing to Mogae that there was a company named Tourism Development Consortium (Pty) Ltd (Debswana), “when in fact and in truth the accused person knew at all material times that such a company did not exist and further that the purported company did not exist. “Further, that the purported company, even when incorporated, would not be a Debswana vehicle but a private property of Nchindo and his son, thereby causing the President to support the allocation of plot 55720, Gaborone to the purported company, which support the President would not have given had the true facts been known to him.”
Nchindo snr and Matome are alleged to have continued with the same deception while making presentations to Vice President (now President) Ian Khama , the cabinet, and the then Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Boometswe Mokgothu, and the Director of Lands, Victor Rantshabeng. Recently, allegations were also made that Debswana had funded the governing Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) but Nchindo said some of the allegations had attributed certain activities to him personally. He told a newspaper: “I am constrained to respond to them on account of the confidentiality by which I am bound . . . I am deeply saddened to discover that such confidentialities are not shared by others who were in office at those material times. “I would like to state quite categorically that I have not, in any manner whatsoever, aided the publication of these media allegations. With particular reference to the remarks about myself attributed to my friend and former President, FG Mogae, these are not only unfortunate and unwise, but sadly, are manifestly untrue and distorted.” Nchindo, 69, was for more than a decade Botswana’s most colourful character. His distinctive pinstriped suits, woven leather braces, high profile residential address and flashy imported cars “provided the perfect visual accompaniment of pomp, celebrity and grandiose to a series of decisions he took while he was Debswana managing director,” newspaper reports said.
He developed a large area of cotton fields at Masedi Farms in Pandamatenga and then turned to the lucrative tourism sector with plans for a luxury five star hotel in Kasane. Nchindo leaves his wife, two sons and two daughters, all of whom live in Botswana.
Woman’s screams not heard by neighbours
An elderly woman’s screams for help went unnoticed by nearby residents in Disaneng this week.
The cries, heard over a wide area by members of the 911 Neighbourhood Watch organisation, were eventually tracked to a house close to the Thamalakane River.
Burglars had used a crowbar to smash open the door and enter the building. The woman woke up after hearing a noise, started screaming and was confronted by two men, one of whom was carrying a crowbar.
He put the crowbar lengthwise against her throat and forced her backwards to her bed where he demanded money. She was not assaulted. The burglars grabbed what money was available and the 911 radio before escaping. Members of 911 converged on the house once her property has been identified.
Patrick Penstone, chairman of 911, said it was sad that neighbours, most of whom are 911 members, did not respond in time to the woman’s screams.
Earlier, the back door of a house in Disanang was forced open with a crowbar and burglars stole two laptops and other property.
The tracks were followed and police later recovered most of the property.
World celebrates a ‘forgotten disease’
Leprosy is a forgotten disease that many associate with Biblical times when those suffering from the disease were victimised and not allowed to mix with other people.
Leprosy (Lepero in Setswana) though mostly forgotten still exists.
As World leprosy Day was celebrated on January 31, and support organisations worked round the clock to raise awareness of the disease.
Two are Thuso Rehabilitation Centre and Leprosy Mission International.
In an interview with The Ngami Times, Ockie Kruger, of Leprosy Mission International, described the event as opportune to celebrate.
He said while fighting the disease rests with the government under the Ministry of Health, their duty is to negotiate with governments to keep up awareness on the disease.
He said leprosy is a skin disease that targets and kills sensory nerves. The disease first manifests itself in form of patches which when scratched does not release any dead skin but on piercing or pressing the patches the person does not feel anything. Over time, patients start losing parts of or all their limbs and developing ulcers on their hands and feet as well as the face. An occupational therapist at Thuso Rehabilitation Centre, Sahai Buka, said their work is mainly with dealing with the patients especially in Ngamiland and Chobe where he says they have about 30 confirmed cases of leprosy.
“These are the patients that we have been following for the past two years,” he said. Buka noted that the biggest set back was that people see the disease at the end of the spectrum and in most cases fail to recognise it at the onset. Prevention of complications by encouraging the use of protective clothing like gloves, goggles protecting the eyes and hands is also said to be important. Buka says they have realised that leprosy is very common in crowded and remote communities.Thuso’s head of administration, Bridget Ludick, called on the business community and members of the public to help with donations to assist leprosy patients.
“These can be in form of protective clothing like special clothes, sunscreens, lotions and creams that they use and sunlight soap. “Those willing to make donations can contact me at Thuso to get specifications of the things that patients use,” she said.
Contact Bridget Ludick at 686 0539 to make a donation for leprosy patients.
Man in court on multiple charges
By Molefi Manyepedza
A 29 year old Tubu man, Bonewanang Thaba, has appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma for alleged arsons, unlawful wounding and theft.
It is alleged that between September 21 and 31 last year at Xhoa cattle-post near Tubu he stole Okonetse Kurusa’s 303 riffle, valued at P6 800.00.
On September 30 he assaulted a police officer (a Constable Banni) on duty and on the same day set fire to a hut belonging to Morulaganyi Etsogile.
The hut was burnt to ashes and Etsogile lost goods valued P 7 446.50.
In anther incident at Etsha 6 on October 8, Thaba allegedly burnt Moshe Shaushiki’s hut in which Shaushiki lost goods valued at P2 008, and the hut valued at P20 000. The same day he allegedly wounded Shaushiki by stabbing him on the right arm with a sharp instrument inflicting a stab wounds on the right arm. He then set fire to Mbike Mojakhwe’s hut at Etsha 6. Mojakhwe lost goods amounting to P16 375.00.
Thaba pleaded guilty to all 6 counts and asked the court to give him bail, adding that he wants to look for an attorney. In his response, Foroma said Thaba is not the right person to be given bail because he is a danger to society.
Painful austerity is the road ahead
The government’s decision to increase VAT – from 10% to 12% with effect from April 1 – will be a crippling blow to a people already having to pay high prices for their goods, in particular the necessities of life such as food.
It is a decision that many will find difficult to understand at a time when belts are already tightened, and with salaries and wages pegged by the government and many businesses.
There is no doubt therefore that Botswana will go through a painful period of austerity. The international credit crunch is the scapegoat but we recall that government ministers went on record in the early months of the onset of the credit crunch that it should hardly affect Botswana, that there was sufficient funding available to help the nation get over the worst of it, and that employment would remain stable.
They got it wrong and now all has changed.
The collapse of our diamond industry certainly did not help and by all accounts was not even thought likely while unemployment queues outside Labour offices increase by the day.
Poverty is another spectre that is rising its head, and ever-increasingly, it would appear. ..
Businesses are suffering. For some the credit crunch and the increase in VAT will be a mortal blow seeing that in all likelihood many people will think twice about purchases, either for basic or luxury goods.
The budget is said to lay the foundation for transformation of our economy and the limited funds available to government must deliver more with less. Every Pula of government spending, it is decreed in the Budget address, must create more than a Pula worth of added value.
This, it is hoped, will transform Botswana into a globally competitive high income economy that delivers development with dignity for all Batswana.
It may just be that dignity will be stretched to breaking point in the months ahead.
It looks as if the wheels are coming off in South Africa.
Many people here know the country well and they must be wondering what on earth has brought about the degeneration of just about everything in that land.
The World Cup, long touted as the event of the century and on which so many dreams rest, looks like going the way of all over-ambitious ideas, what with less than half the number of foreign fans likely to come to SA because of high air fares (both international and internal), poor infrastructure, terribly expensive hotels, and a crime situation that boggles the mind.
Then they have a president who appears not to care about tradition, except his own tribal traditions of course, by marrying for the 5 time (all other wives are still in his bed – one hell of a big bed I must say!), and then fathering a child out of wedlock.
And he still remains as their president! Oh boy!
The cherry on the cake however for this writer was Tuesday’s news that police reservists (in uniform) had taken to the streets because they wanted more money and better working conditions. Hard on their heels, with stun guns and other weapons in full view of TV cameras, were the real cops . . .
It all makes for fascinating reading about the land once said to be Africa’s biggest power. Power? Even the power utility, Eskom, cannot handle things – as we here in Botswana know only too well.
Don’t forget to buy, hire or steal a generator for the period June 11-July 11 – the duration of the World Cup – as Eskom is planning load shedding during the games to keep the floodlights burning and this will be extended to most places except where a soccer match is taking place.
That includes Botswana.
Oh, well, enough moaning. Let’s get on with forking out another 2% for our food and other goods to keep the government’s coffers ticking over . . .
One suspects that anyone driving through Sedie ward on the tarred road to Shorobe must be asking the same question: Who is the bright spark who authorised the grading of one side of the road, leaving a ditch that has affected access into the ward and caused motorists giant headaches as they try to negotiate it. It is not difficult to see how foolhardy the decision was by whoever is in charge of the graders working on Maun roads.
This particular road is claimed to be a “government road” and therefore out of the control of the North West District Council – does that mean the government can do what it likes for Maun motorists?
Large trucks, bakkies and sedans have all come to grief in the ditch, at times partly filled with water due to the rains we have had. The mud has not helped either.
Come on, guys. Do something worth while with your day instead of dreaming up more problems for motorists.
LATE FLASH: By Wednesday, someone had been making a concerted effort to level out the ditch. Maybe one of the contractor’s vehicles got stuck?
Dibotelo takes over as Chief Justice
LOBATSE - Justice Maruping Dibotelo is the new Chief Justice. He replaces Justice Julian Nganunu who has retired due to ill-health.
Justice Dibotelo was sworn in ahead of the opening of the legal year in Lobatse last week.
The new Chief Justice said when opening the legal year that although he acknowledged public calls to remove stock theft cases from magistrate courts and try them exclusively at customary courts, the move would contravene the country’s constitution. It was clearly defined in the constitution that every person who was charged with a criminal offence including stealing stock had every right to legal representation of their choice at their own expense. However, he said, this would not be feasible as such representation did not extend to those tried before customary courts.
He said it was therefore right that those who were accused of stock theft were allowed to be prosecuted in the courts where they could exercise their fundamental right to legal representation conferred on them by the constitution.
President Ian Khama is scheduled today to receive a specially bound commemorative copy of a new book on the plant life of northern Botswana, including the Okavango delta. The president is a leading conservationist in his own right and is a member of the board of Conservation International. The authors, Roger and Alison Heath, have spent many years studying and photographing the diverse plant life, and have sent many samples – carefully wrapped in pages of The Ngami Times - to the world-famous Kew Gardens botanical institute in England for identification purposes. The book was officially launched by the Heaths (pictured) at the World Wetlands Symposium held in Maun last week.
Poverty levels a major threat to the delta
The levels of poverty in the downward stream of the Okavango delta are a threat to the sustainability of the delta ecosystem.
When there is poverty, the poor will deplete the resources just to make ends meet said Joseph Mbaiwa, a tourism expert at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC).
The Botswana Press Agency (BOPA) reports that Mbaiwa told the Flood Pulse Wetlands International Symposium in Maun last week that despite the delta producing the country’s riches “there is rampant poverty, especially in the Okavango areas where the levels of poverty is between 60 and 70%.”
He added: ‘We have the rich Okavango delta, but at the same time the levels of poverty are high. There is no way you can talk of tourism without livelihood (as) there is a strong relation between livelihoods and conservation.” According to the academic, “enclave tourism” has failed to uplift the lives of people along the delta as majority of them derive insignificant benefit from the tourism jobs they do – “only outsiders benefit while the local people do not benefit, (and is) thus called internal colonialism.. Under the current setup, 79% of revenue from the tourism sector leaves the country while only 21% remains in Botswana.”
Mbaiwa said tourism should minimise negative economic, environmental and social factors and he implored scientists at the symposium to device strategies to deal with issues of poverty.
He added that Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) has produced mixed results as it has performed well in Eastern Ngamiland while other areas, especially around Okavango have performed below the par.
Mbaiwa added that poverty in the Okavango Delta has resulted from income inequality, and maternal deprivation and child poverty.
Explaining the processes that drive the Delta
The Okavango delta has been under the spotlight in Maun as experts debate the wetlands situation. There have been a number of books written about the world-famous RAMSAR site, and below we publish a critique of the latest publication
A new book on the Okavango Delta (titled: Okavango Delta: Floods of Life) was launched at last week’s World Wetlands Day at the Wetland Symposium, organized by the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in Maun.
One of the authors, Professor C. VanderPost, explains that the book is a joint production of HOORC, IUCN (the International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and RAISON (Research and Information Services of Namibia). The beautifully illustrated book is more than ‘pretty pictures’ and aims to explain the processes that make the Delta a functional wetland.
Okavango Delta: Floods of Life is a celebration of the Delta’s living wealth and aims to explain the processes that keep the water flowing and fresh. Some processes are physical, dependant on slope, sedimentation, faults and channels fixed long ago in the sands of the Kalahari. Yet others are driven by biological agents, principally by such divergent organisms as papyrus, termites and hippos.
The book explains how life interacts with water in this environment. From plants and relatively unknown microscopic creatures such as beautifully patterned diatoms to fish, dragonflies, birds, mammals and eventually people, the ultimate custodians of these wetlands. All who have an interest in the Okavango Delta need a common purpose and tongue if they are to sustain and derive long-term benefits from this valuable oasis of water, wildlife, wealth and welfare. It is hoped that the book will contribute to the development of this common language and understanding.
- C. Vanderpost
Local Government comes off worse in DCEC cases
A quarter of all cases reported to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) last year involved allegations of corruption and economic crimes by Ministry of Local Government officials. The next highest numbers were against the ministries of Education (14%), Works and Transport (12%), the Office of the State President (11%), Labour and Home Affairs (8%), Lands and Housing (7%) and Health (6%).
The DCEC says it received a total of 1 926 reports, which is 75 more than for the corresponding period in 2008. It also received reports that did not fall within the ambit of the DCEC act and of these 901 were passed on to relevant organisations and institutions.
Family in court on dagga charge
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
Six members of the same family have appeared in the Maun magistrate court for unlawful possession of dagga.
The six are Sevi Grey (a woman) aged 42, Michael Grey 47, Beauty Robert 18, Joyce Grey 18, Maggie Grey 21 and a male, Mable Robert.
They lived in Matomo ward and appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma.
According to the particulars of the offence, it is stated that the six - not licensed or authorised to possess habit forming drugs – were in possession of 7556.4 grams of dagga. Beauty Gumbo a 23-year-old State witness said that while she was at her place in Boseja, there came a man whom she didn’t know “but was familiar with his face” came looking for dagga.
“I then told him that we were no longer selling it, but I promised that I could take him somewhere to purchase the dagga. We both went to a yard in Matomo where we both went into a house and I bought him what he wanted. He then went off.
“The same evening police officers came to me and said they wanted to search my house, and they told me that the gentlemen whom they caught had told them exactly where I bought the dagga,” Gumbo said.
When asked about the name of the owner of the yard where the dagga bought, Gumbo told Mokiya Mokiya, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, that the yard belonged to her grandmother who was in Francistown. Gumbo also did not know the name of the grandmother as she had left Maun a long time ago.
Oarabile Pema (30), a detective constable with the Diamond and Narcotics Squad, told the court that on March 12, 2007, while he was on duty he had received a call from police officers in Makalamabedi who told him that they “had a client with them” whom they had arrested and found him in possession of 6 packets containing green material which they suspected to be dagga. Gumbo is said to have offered to take them to Matomo ward where the man had allegedly bought the dagga.
“She promised to take us to the yard and for her safety, we told her to show us the yard before leaving her at the Old Mall. I then called the SSG (Special Support Group) officers, them the whole story and we left for the yard in Matomo at around 8 pm,” Pema said. They found Seri Grey, Michael Grey (husband), Joyce, Maggie, Mable, and one Segment who said he was renting in the yard.
The police then dug up the front yard and found 69 colorless plastic bags and 24 white plastic bags which contained green material, suspected to be dagga. At the main gate they found a further 19 colourless plastic bags, 20 white plastic bags, a tin on the ground which contained 20 more colourless plastic bags and also found 65 plastic wrappings.
The trial continues on March 17.
Residents complain about developments
Maun West residents have complained to MP Tawana Moremi about a series of relocations taking place in their area to pave the way for new developments. They said during a kgotla meeting recently that the prolonged relocations were leading to the separation of families as well as making the village look untidy, according to the Botswana Press Agency (BOPA). They said enough damage had been caused by previous developments and relocations and “there are times when these developments result in people relocating based on an assessment previously done.” Moremi said “the way these plots were allocated in the past does not leave any room for development.” He encouraged residents to switch from pit latrines as these contaminated underground water sources and that they needed an area where there was adequate space for a proper sewage system.
War of words over fate of Wildlife Scouts
The government has recalled two diplomats from Harare and ordered the expulsion of two Zimbabweans diplomats as a war of words erupts over the arrest in Zimbabwe territory of three Botswana Wildlife department scouts.
The scouts, who were each fined US$100 dollars when they eventually appeared in a Hwange court late this week, had inadvertently crossed an unmarked border near Kazungula nearly three weeks ago. They were arrested by Zimbabwean police and taken to Victoria Falls.
The government says it “wishes to express its deep disappointment over the detention of the three wildlife officers in Zimbabwe despite attempts at finding an amicable diplomatic solution.” It says vice-president Mompati Merafhe tried to talk about it to Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe at an African Union meeting in Ethiopia but was rebuffed. The unnamed Wildlife officials were tracking lions that had killed cattle in Lesoma on the Botswana/Zimbabwean border. Skelemani told the Gaborone newspaper “Sunday Standard” that the Zimbabwean authorities’ decision went against the spirit of their relationship with Botswana.
Prisons officials chastised over ill-discipline
MAHALAPYE - Prison officers have been rapped over the knuckles by the Minister of Justice, Defence and Security, Dikgakgamatso N Seretse for indiscipline.
He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the closure of an officers’ course at Mahalapye.
“When I addressed members of the Botswana Prison Service late last year, I advised against acts of indiscipline among which could facilitate the escape of prisoners.
“In the month of January, 10 prisoners escaped from custody. This is indeed a disturbing scenario.
“It points to the fact that the Prison Service could be failing in its mandate,” he said. He also said special attention needed to be paid to “the humane treatment of offenders.” He said prisoners are like other citizens, (and) “are entitled to enjoy their fundamental human rights restricted as they may be. A positive contribution from your side towards the treatment of prisoners has a bearing on the good reputation of the Prison Service and a direct implication on Botswana’s protection of Human Rights.”
Seretse also said that humane treatment of prisoners must not be understood literally as only relating to the physical interaction with offenders – “it should be understood to refer also to the efficiency of officers in handling prisoners’ complaints, requests, petitions, appeals and general upkeep. “Violation of their rights tarnishes the good reputation we have earned.” He promised ‘decisive actions” against prison officers who transgress the rules.
Teacher in court for injuring student
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
A teacher at Letlhakeng’s Mphuthe Junior Secondary School, Gaositege Kgomonne, 29, has briefly appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma this week on a e charge of grievous bodily harm. According to the charge sheet, on January 24 2008, Kgomonne had allegedly without any reason caused harm to 8 year old girl of Tawana Primary School in Maun. At that time the woman teacher was stationed in Maun at Tawana Primary.
The girl sustained a fracture on an index finger and was taken to medical authorities for immediate attention. The prosecutor is Antonio Luanda, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and the accused is represented by Keffers Ketshabile, of Ketshabile Associates. The trial on April 14 and 15.
Distemper killing off dogs
KASANE - An outbreak of distemper in the Chobe area has resulted in the deaths of at least 10 dogs, officials say. The disease is a highly contagious, systematic and viral disease characterised by fever, eyes and nasal discharge, reduced appetite, partial or complete paralysis, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Two charged with assaulting girlfriend
By Molefi Manyepedza
Two family members of Boseja ward, Maun, this week appeared before the Maun Customary Court facing a count of assault.
According to the particulars of the offence led by Prosecutor Constable Batshani Matenge of the Botswana Police Service, the accused - Jenamo Mosweu (25) and Kebabonye Mosweu (28) - on Sunday evening assaulted Pauline Soona, who is the former’s girlfriend. Matenge said on Soona’s arrival at Jenamo’s house, he (Jenamoh) pulled her by her hair and dragged her into the house and assaulted her with a piece of wood. He hit her across the face. Jenamo is said to have been joined by his sister, Kebabonye, who also assaulted Soona with a stick.
The accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation, Jenamo Mosweu said he was taking care of his siblings and is also the breadwinner whereas Kebabonye Mosweu said she was taking care of her sisters and brother who are at primary school level
“With those reasons, may the court be lenient with us when passing sentence,” they asked.
When sentencing the two, Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo said he considered the accused person’s mitigations and sentenced each to a fine of P300 and ordered them to pay within 14 days, and failure to comply with court’s sentence, they will be imprisoned for 4 months.
Another drowning in Thamalakane River
By Basadi Morokotso
A riverside argument has ended in the recent drowning of a 35-year-old Boseja man
It is believed the unidentified victim was arguing with a group of men on the other bank of the Thamalakane River when he took off his clothes and dived in to swim to the other side.
He got into difficulties and drowned. Maun police station commander Robson Maleka confirmed the drowning and said by the time police and divers from Botswana Defence Force arrived, it was already too late in the evening, making it impossible for them to search for the body.
The man was only removed the following day, with fresh blood oozing from his nose. Eye-witnesses think the blood might have been the result of the body being accidentally hit by a BDF air boat used during the search. No foul play was suspected.
Sponsorship hinders judo star’s progress
By Molefi Manyepedza
Sponsorship has become a major challenge for Maun judo star Kagiso Monyatsiwa, 25.
Monyatsiwa – who trained in Maun and the United States - says he aims to represent Botswana at the 2012 Olympics in London but a lack of sponsors is holding him back. He said he started his career in 1990 in Maun where he grew up but before choosing Judo as his favorite sport, he was doing Karate. New Zealander Tony Caulfield, a top-ranked judo exponent who lives in Maun, was his first coach. Monyatsiwa later went to the United States, where he studied kinesiology while at the same time pursuing his judo career. “While I was in America, I trained for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games but failed to take part because I did not have the money to compete and at the time did not have a coach.
“I then moved to California to act in movies as a way of raising money for the 2012 Olympic Games. I was playing the role of Shaka Zulu on TV,” he said this week, adding that it was not easy for him to take part in activities that needed money as he was sponsoring himself.
Monyatsiwa has now been given an opportunity by the Yamana Grand Church of Japan to move to Japan and to Tenri University, one of the world’s top judo training areas.
However, he says there are costs associated with qualifying for the 2012 Olympics as per the International Judo Federation Olympic qualification criteria.
He has been seeking sponsorship from businesses in Botswana as well as the Botswana Judo Federation but without success.
Monyatsiwa expects to leave for Japan in March.
Maun Terrors unfazed as pressure mounts
Despite a 6-0 drubbing by Miscellaneous over the weekend, Maun Terrors coach Gadimaang Tiiso remains unfazed by the pressure of losing two games in a row.
The Maun-based side still harbours hopes of staying in the National first division league for yet another season, but they appear to have lost the chance to contest for the Be Mobile Premiership spot, and are left with a fight for relegation survival.
The championship has developed into a two-horse race after Orapa Wanderers walloped Great North Tigers and Miscellaneous took three points off Maun Terrors in Serowe at the weekend. Speaking to Times Sport after their game against Miscellaneous, Tiiso – who did not travel with the side - says they are ready to soldier on. His club did not play their best but adds that in football points count. He was also disappointed by poor officiating that saw them lose three players through red cards and the fourth red went to team manager Kebonyethebe DK Dikgathatso. Tiiso said the only thing that could rule them out of contention to survive relegation is if players become complacent and get demoralized - “we now want to focus on getting points to finish in a better position because I believe the players now know what to expect, and the only thing left is to guide the players against over-confidence or complacency.” Maun Terrors host log leaders Orapa Wanderers at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday.
EU, government and BFA support of U15
The European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in collaboration with Botswana Football Association have joined forces to improve and support the National U 15 training camp. Following the success of the 2009 EU-sponsored camp, both organisations have agreed to continue with the programme in 2010 in the quest for youth development. The EU in partnership with Finance and Development Planning has agreed to give P200 000 to the BFA for use towards weekend training camps. Under the arrangement, 25 players will meet at Lekidi Centre in Gaborone for training on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays under the guidance of Youth Development coach Jelusic Veselin and his technical team.
The practices will be primarily dedicated to improvement of elements of technique, also to improve elements on individual, group, team tactic and preparatory matches. It is designed to improve various aspects of physical fitness and continuous development of tactical skills.
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06 Feb 2010 15:49
Edition 493 5 Febuary - 12 Febuary 2010
Heavy rain dumped a total of 50.2mm on parts of Maun this week and Wednesday’s big storm alone accounted for more than 42mm of rain. The Boseja Kubung kgotla and clinic were damaged by rain and high winds. There was widespread damage throughout the region. Maun Clinic was earlier in the week (pictured) hit by falling trees which smashed roofs and other parts of the building, including the maternity ward. No one was injured. Wednesday’s storm flooded businesses, including the Spar Delta supermarket in Maun, shops in the Old Mall, and homes over a wide area. Many roads were rendered impassable.
Scenes of devastation . . . A cellphone picture (above) taken by Thabang Kite, of The Ngami Times, shows shopworkers at the Delta Spar supermarket in Maun sweeping out water that flooded the shop during Wednesday’s rain and wind storm. The storm also severely damaged (below) the Boseja Kubung clinic, kgotla and staff housing.
KHAMA TALKING AGAIN TO BASARWA
President Ian Khama is this week consulting with the Basarwa (San) people in the central Kalahari.
The talks are, it is believed, aimed at finding common ground over the issue of the forced removal of the tribe from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in the late 1980s.
It marks the second time he has met with the tribe in a bid to normalise relations and to blunt the Survival International (SI) organisation’s latest efforts to pressurise the government to grant land rights to the Basarwa.
The tribe is now threatening to take the government to the International Court of Justice (World Court) over the matter.
It is believed Khama will be discussing with tribal elders how the tribe and the government could reconcile differences.
His tour of the area is the first he has made since taking office in 2008 and the second high-level meeting since applicants representing the tribe won a High Court case five years ago giving them the right to return to the CKGR.
The tribe says the ruling has been largely ignored by the government and that harassment of Basarwa is continuing.
Yesterday (Thursday) Khama attended a kgotla at New Xade, where many of the Basarwa removed from the CKGR were housed, and last night he was at West Hanahai.
Today (Friday) he is attending another kgotla at Bere followed by one at Kacgae.
Full details of the kgotla meetings on Thursday were not available at the time of going to press.
Roy Sesana, the leader of the First People of the Kalahari (Kgalagari), this week declared that “peace talks” with President Khama on possible resolution of their land issue are “over” and he was taking it to another level.
He told a Gaborone newspaper that talks had failed to yield any benefits - “we took them to court when Wildlife officers were confiscating our livestock inside the CKGR. Some Basarwa up to now have not been compensated.
“We also fought in court to be allowed to hunt with permits inside the CKGR, but up to now a number of us do not have the hunting permits. We also won the land case after appeal, but the majority of us were not allowed to return. “We are convinced we should now go back to the courtroom, but it will be a different court room, not in Botswana. We want our matter to be heard by an international court this time.” In 2008 Khama and other Cabinet ministers met with the Basarwa leadership in a highly publicised event hailed as marking the end of Basarwa’s relations with Survival International.
Sesana claims that when they met Khama they were persuaded not to involve outsiders like SI in the matter or local human rights NGO, Ditshwanelo - the Botswana Centre for Human Rights.
Sesana says the Basarwa issue was handed over to the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, and later to Ditshwanelo, but up to now there has been no progress.
The number of Basarwa presently living in Botswana is estimated to be between 30 000 and 45 000.
Botswana looking for new air links
Botswana is shopping around for international airlines to fly to the country and has also decided to allow non-scheduled operators to open up internal routes.
It has formally asked international airlines whether they would operate services to and from Botswana.
This follows on debate over the future of the national carrier, Air Botswana, which the government was at one time keen to privatise but could not reach agreement with preferred bidders.
The government has, according to a document circulated internationally since December 7 last year, “liberalised the regional and domestic air transport markets to allow private sector air carriers more latitude to respond to market-based demand, and that new domestic carriers are expected to emerge particularly from carriers previously constrained to operating non-scheduled services.”
The document describes Botswana as a small country with a big future and adds: “The rapid growth of the economy as well as other developments within the SADC region has necessitated more and better air service connections between Botswana and the rest of the world. “The government has several initiatives to encourage airlines to provide new air services to Botswana.” Describing Botswana as a prosperous country that demonstrates fiscal responsibility, has a well-developed banking sector and is committed to development based on sound free market principles, tourism is touted as an important sector of the economy and provides about 23 000 jobs and contributing 3-billion pula to the economy.
The number of tourist arrivals has been growing at an average of 13.7% over the past 16 years compared to 4.5% for sub-Saharan Africa and 4.3% for the world generally while passenger air traffic between 2003 and 2007 grew to about 9.5% and aircraft movements increased by 7.9% on average. Airline executives are told that about 95% of tourist arrivals are by road, mainly through South Africa and Zimbabwe, but “recent studies have clearly indicated that tourist flows to Botswana are seriously constrained due to the lack of direct airlinks to the country, especially from Europe and North America.”
Dramatic water rise may mean big flood
This year’s flooding of the Okavango River and delta could be massive judging from the amount of water that has already been recorded. Heavy and consistent rains in the Angolan eastern highlands – which are continuing - has seen river levels at Rundu, in Namibia, rise to 7.46 metres compared to the 2009 figure of 5.17 metres.
Latest levels show a rise of more than 8cm at Rundu since January 29 and 10cm at Mohembo – where the level that day was 2.53 metres.
The figures for Rundu are 3 metres higher than is normal for a January 29 recording - on Friday it stood at 7.14 m after reaching 7 metres the day before due to heavy rains in the Nkurenkuru area.
This year’s flood, widely expected to come down the Thamalakane River through Maun in about May, could be bigger than the 2009 event, which saw huge amounts of water flooding surrounding farmlands and residential areas.
For the first time in years it also resulted in high inflows into Lake Ngami and the Boteti River.
Meanwhile at Kongola, on the banks of the Kwando River on the northern Botswana-Namibia border, water levels are standing at 3.06 metres, slightly less than last year. The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo was 2.19 metres higher this week and steadily rising - the normal January figure is 1.48 metres.
The normally bone dry Savuti channels are also overflowing, with the marsh channels expected to contain water for at least six months. Water is almost surrounding the Savuti Scout camp.
Code of conduct proposed for boating
The river boating fraternity in Maun has suggested a code of conduct be introduced to improve safety and care in the Okavango delta and on the Thamalakane and Boro rivers.
Colin Dandridge, co-ordinator of the project on behalf of commercial users, said that in general boating on the rivers was of a high standard but that it was becoming necessary to establish a set of rules.
A proposed code has been submitted to Water Affairs authorities in Maun. “We understand there have been problems at times but must point out there have been no fatalities in the last 30 years,” he said. “The only problems we have faced are from wild animals, such as hippos which have sunk several boats.”
The code of conduct governs 15 areas identified for the safety of cruising on the rivers as well as suggests equipment which should be on board every boat.
At the top of the list is etiquette on the water which states boats must not be used “in a way that might endanger the owners or occupants of other boats or to people on the banks”.
Boats should also only be under the control of persons 16 years of age or older for pleasure craft and 18 years or older for commercial craft. Rules of the river are also suggested – boats should keep left when approaching oncoming craft, slow down to a no wake speed and proceed on the left. Caution has to be needed when approaching blind corners “or where the view of an oncoming boat is obstructed.”
A no wake speed is necessary when passing other boats or at boat landings, lodges, camps or jetties.
The suggested code also forbids the use of cellphones while operating a boat as are operators under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or drugs. No refuse must be thrown from boats or dumped on shore
Namibian thieves raid safari camp
Thieves used a boat to try and rob a Botswana safari camp in the north of the country this week.
The raiders entered the camp on Tuesday. The Botswana Defence Force (BDF0 was called in and the raiders made a return visit on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, burglars last week entered a Maun house and stole expensive photographic and electronic equipment while the owners were attending a wedding in the Okavango delta.
Police were called to the scene and found several footprints.
It appeared that least one of the burglars wore a pair of shoes which belonged to a family member. The shoes had been worn back to front to confuse trackers.
A man, understood to be a temporary gardener, was arrested.
Police investigations are continuing.
John Wellio gets BDP position
Leading Maun businessman John Wellio has been appointed by President Ian Khama to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party’s central committee. He replaces Jacob Nkate, who was defeated in the Ngami constituency at the general election and lost his Trade and Industry portfolio as a result. Nkate is now chief executive of BEDIA. According to a press statement released by the BDP’s executive secretary, Batlang Serema, Wellio not only replaces Nkate but will also be the central committee member for the North West Region.
Dogs maul Shashe woman
A woman who entered a yard protected by guard dogs was seriously injured this week when the dogs turned on her.
The woman was taken to hospital from the Shashe Lands, Maun, property with numerous bite wounds on her body, including injuries to the head, arms, legs and feet.
Maun deputy police commander Moses Chibamo confirmed the incident and said that when police wanted to question her, they were not able to do so initially as she was heavily sedated.
Wetlands symposium a welcome move, says Mokaila
The minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, says the symposium on wetlands being held in Maun this week has come at a time when climate change considerations dictate that issues affecting the environment be given prominence. Mokaila was officially opening the symposium. The symposium attracted international scientists from different disciplines to discuss the effects of pulsing hydrologic cycles on the functioning of wetlands. This is particularly in relation to climate change, patterns of flow, biological responses to flooding, the influence of flooding patterns on economic development such as tourism and agriculture, and to assess the impacts of tourism on natural and cultural aspects of wetlands. The symposium also investigated new approaches to accommodating flooding patterns in wetland governance and management, analyse contemporary issues as well as future changes and challenges (such as global climate change).
Mokaila noted that he expected the symposium to shed some light on aspects of ecosystem balance, knowledge systems, participatory approaches, develop efficient data management systems, policy decisions, good governance systems and integrated planning which his ministry has to operate through.
“I wish to point out that my ministry has taken proactive steps in so far as sustainable use of wetlands is concerned,” he said. According to Mokaila, the development of the Okavango Delta Management Plan, the development of the Wetlands policy, and the signing of the SADC protocol on shared water courses by Botswana were some of the major steps towards the protection of wetlands.
Mokaila also said that the term wetland in Botswana is almost synonymous with the Okavango Delta, explaining its importance and contribution to the socio-economic, ecological and development context of the country. The OKACOM co-chairperson for Botswana, Gabaake Gabaake, who is the permanent secretary in the ministry of Mineral, Energy and Water Resources told delegates that scientific research can help decision making on how best to manage natural resources.
“Today tourism to the Okavango Delta accounts for the lion’s share of the wealth created in the river basin. Botswana is aware that this significant resource, with its complex systems of ecology, hydrology and livelihood systems, is dependent on both the goodwill and understanding of its neighbours upstream,” Gabaake said. He maintained that it is always important to view the system as a river basin that originates in Angola passing through Namibia into Botswana. The symposium is hosted by the University of Botswana through the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Guides look for urgent help
By Basadi Morokotso
Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) chairman Kenson Kgaga has brought to light issues which have one unattended and impacting negatively on the day to day running of the association. He said this over the weekend at the association’s third annual conference at which issues were debated. He said the association has over the years played an important role “in luring locals, more especially the youth, to join and invest in the tourism industry.” For this reason, he said it will be a bonus if they could gain support from government departments, the tourism sector, parastatals and individuals to assist them to upgrade the standard of guides who, according to his own point of view, are well experienced and familiar with the Okavango delta.
The chairman said however the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute has become uncooperative because they “deliberately prepare examinations which are not in the guides’ curriculum,” something which has resulted in candidates failing exams because they are not familiar with the end product. He said the tender system at land boards also denies them the opportunity to grow because it takes time for one to be allocated land on which to build a hotel and or a lodge. “We are tired of being called small scale operators. We want to be empowered so that we also reach the level of medium or large scale operators. No one in their right mind would want to be in the same place for long periods of time. “We also call for support from trusts so that they too allocate us land at their respective areas at reasonable for prices,” he said. Some members also said that in order to be licensed, they are required by the department of Tourism to secure office space in town which they cannot afford to do due to high rentals, and called for discretion to be allowed to work from home because many do not have office equipment nor have hired any staff because of the small size of their businesses. Lesedi Karanja, of the Maun office of the Department of Tourism, disputed this, saying her office does not necessarily require members to have offices in town but should instead strive to have some office structure wherever they operate from because that would be their central place where they do bookings, meet their clients and so forth. “This nearly landed us in serious trouble with the North West District Council and Tawana Land Board because we had allowed wrong land use.
“You need to keep in mind that it is our duty to advice and rectify whenever there is need. It is also our duty to help you do the right thing so that your businesses remain legitimate and safe.
“Also, you need to take into account that as government officials, we also abide by the rules and regulations from the government which we serve, but through your appeal, we might look out for other alternatives and maybe reach an agreement,” she said. Kgaga was re- elected chairman. Ronald Ramsden was elected unopposed as his deputy and Sammy Mokgadi, Lebogang Nxhoo and John Chase were elected Secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer respectively.
Another chapter in the saga of ‘Open Skies’
The government has finally admitted what all in the country’s aviation industry could have told it over the years.
Deregulate air travel opportunities and you will increase tourism numbers.
In a four-page letter sent to world airlines, Botswana has spoken of the need to improve air travel within the country.
Offering opportunities for involvement, the government says “recent studies have clearly indicated that tourist flows to Botswana are seriously constrained due to the lack of direct airlinks to the country, especially from Europe and North America.
“Air travel is becoming more attractive within Botswana and the region. Traffic is expected to continue to grow and the government wants to sustain that growth.”
This means that the protectionism granted to the national carrier, Air Botswana, may be a thing of the past if the authorities don’t renege on their own suggestion.
We remember only too well the bids to privatise Air Botswana and the attempts at prising from the grip of government the tightly-held monopoly which some of the interested privatisation bidders wanted in order to make the move more economically viable. It can only augur well for air travel in this country if new routes are opened – here we can think of, for instance, Maun-Francistown and Maun-Ghanzi. It would also assist in bringing down air fares currently operative here (the highest in the world in some instances) and an improvement in service generally.
Hard on the heels of an editorial on the way our motorists behave on the roads, comes research made by Canadians which should be of great interest to everyone who gets behind a steering wheel. Most motorists fancy themselves as better drivers than others on the road. When Ottawa University researchers polled nearly 400 drivers, ranging from the youngest to the very old, virtually all rated themselves favourably. This was especially true when older drivers were used for comparison, even if the person questioned fell into that category themselves. This bravado could lead to more accidents, the scientists warned. Clearly, it is impossible that all drivers are better, the psychologists told Canada’s Analysis and Prevention journal. Sylvain Gagnon and his team asked the drivers to rate how they would fare with different driving conditions, including poor weather, emergency stops and fast roads with heavy traffic. They were asked to say how likely they would be to have a crash compared to an average motorist of the same sex. Men and women, young and old, rated themselves over the “average motorist”, especially when this average motorist fell into the over-5 age category. Young men felt the most superior. Middle-aged men rated themselves as better than similarly aged drivers, and far superior to younger and older motorists. Older drivers - aged 65 plus - felt most superior when they compared themselves with motorists of the same age. Although this confidence is good for the ego, it could have dangerous consequences. “If you think that you are a better driver, then perhaps you start behaving differently behind the wheel and do not pay as much attention as you should,” the researchers found. “This might explain why young men tend to have more accidents on the roads than other drivers.”
There’s always something new in Maun.
Late last week this newspaper was “voiceless” as we discovered someone had cut the telephone wires! We must apologise to the public if anyone had tried to raise us from Friday morning until Monday but we had no idea there is a fool walking the streets and willy-nilly cutting the phone lines. Although the break in communications was reported to Telecoms, we became a number on their complaints list until Monday when we made an impassioned plea for communications to be restored. And to make matters worse, our e-mail and internet links were also badly affected on Monday and Tuesday. Both good days for getting hot under the collar!
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Chuckles to make your week.
A husband asked his wife what she wanted for her birthday. She said something shiny that goes from zero to 200. He gave her a bathroom scale. That’s when the fightstarted.
A husband asked his wife where she wanted to go for their anniversary. She said she would prefer somewhere she had not been in a long time. He suggested she tried the kitchen. That’s when the fight started.
Copper mine project getting underway
Special Correspondent
Discovery Metals is expected to start the construction of its Boseto copper project in Ngamiland, 80km south west of Maun this year. In his presentation at the company’s annual meeting, Brad Sampson, the managing director, said: “The company hoped to finish the bankable feasibility study in March and progress to the funding stage and complete financing, with plans to commence construction in the second quarter of the year” Discovery, an Australian company, was given an exploration licence in September 2005 and started field work the following month. Earlier results last year on the 28 infill drill holes indicated high grades deposits of copper over what the company said “represents a potential opportunity for early stage mining of copper grades.” With the mine expected to start operation soon, local communities within the Boseto locality and Maun are likely to gain a maximize commercial spinoff from the mines’ opening. “ A lot of businesses people in Maun have already applied for commercial plots around Sehithwa and Toteng for establishing guest houses and rental homes to provide accommodation for the mining staff, “ said one Toteng resident. However some observers have pointed out that there are environmental fears brought by the coming mine to Lake Ngami. There are reports that some commercial enterprises have been proposed on the lake. According to one source, the situation is so serious that Tawana Land Board towards the end of last year held a workshop to determine the boundaries of the historic lake to avoid expansion of the businesses in to the area. Some observers have called for though environmental assessments to determine the impacts of the mining on the environment especially cattle. The mine is expected to bring huge employment benefits.
New interest in Orapa diamond fields
Diamond exploration company Firestone Diamonds has identified a number of high interest kimberlites at the Orapa diamond field. It has completed a review of the kimberlites that forms part of a joint venture (JV) with Tawana Resources. In December, the diamond firm and Tawana Resources entered into a JV agreement over eight kimberlite exploration and evaluation projects, in terms of which Firestone could earn up to an 85% interest in these kimberlites.
Firestone conducted a review of the kimberlites, known as BK19 to BK26, which included historical exploration work done by De Beers, Tawana and other exploration companies. “Firestone’s portfolio in the Orapa area now contains 18 kimberlites, 12 of which are proven to contain diamonds. With our ability to use the infrastructure at BK11 to develop and exploit the economic potential of these kimberlites, we are optimistic about the potential for significantly expanding our operations in the Orapa area,” Firestone CEO Philip Kenny said in a statement.
Witnesses name wrongly spelt
In a report on the front page last week headlined ‘Dead man signed land lease”, reference is made to the name of a witness which we have been informed was incorrectly spelt. This should have read Elizabeth Cardwell and not Caldwell. We apologise for the error. We have also been informed that Cardwell was unable to refute the slanderous allegations made by one Nicky Masheko and which were reported in . She was unable to do this due to delays in the court proceedings, which precluded her from giving evidence as a witness for the prosecution. She can only do this when the court reconvenes in July.
Illness forces Cabinet changes
GABORONE - President Ian Khama has reshuffled his Cabinet as a result of ill-health being suffered by Trade and Industry minister Baledzi Gaolathe. Dorcus Mkgato-Malesu, the assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, has been appointed as the new Minister with Maxwell Motowane, who was assistant minister of health, as assistant minister of Trade and Industry.
Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has been appointed as the Assistant Minister of Health.
Nurse, taxi driver charged
A nurse and a taxi driver have appeared in court for allegedly driving recklessly or while under the influence of liquor.
Itlhopeleng Phillip Moyo (28) appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma and pleaded not guilty.
Foroma asked him whether he was not drunk when he was caught and in response Moyo said he was not driving the car, adding he was parked on the side of the side of the road near Duck Pond bar, and went to the bar to drink alcohol. He had spent four hours in the bar.
“By the time I came back to my parked car, I realised that I was not fit to drive so I started stopping taxis. Unfortunately I stopped the police vehicle and that is when I was caught. I was holding a can of beer,” Moyo said.
The prosecutor, Nkaelang Lekgoa, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, told the court that investigations are complete and plan to call 2 witnesses.
The accused said he shall represent himself during trial. The trial date is set for April 8.
In a separate case, a nurse charged with reckless driving and failing to provide a breath specimen.
The nurse, Natefo Ponatshego (31), appeared before Foroma on two counts of reckless driving and failure to provide breath specimen. She pleaded not guilty.
Ponatshego was on October 18 last year near the North West District Council workshops in a RAV 4 vehicle allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at a high speed, and not obeying road signs as she failed to stop at junctions.
On the other offence, the accused is said to have refused to be subjected to a breathlyser test when asked to do so by police officers.
The prosecutor in this case, Nkaelang Lekgoa, told the court that investigations were complete and three witnesses would be called.
Ponatshego said she would represent herself. The trial date is June 7.
Maun Tigers throw title race wide open
Maun Tigers are clinging to the top spot on the Nhabe regional league after their double win over the weekend.
Tigers are now 10 points clear of Maun Heroes in second place with Fuji Rollers and Delta Winds following with 18 points.
The weekend double was a real boost as they beat Delta Winds 2-0 at Maun Sports Complex, and going into the crunch encounter against North West United, the log leaders watched agonisingly as their rivals came back fighting – but they won 3-2 win to widen the gap.
There are still 11 games to play before the end of the season and Tigers’ win sets an interesting race as the home stretch beckons.
The Saturday game was tense, and it took the last 45 minutes for Tigers to break the deadlock.
It should be a troubling result to the other teams in the title race such as Delta Winds, Moeti and Maun Heroes.
The Sunday result opened the title race wide open with second, third and fourth placed teams still far from giving Tigers a nightmare in the running for the league title. It was Tigers 9th straight win of the season.
Sankoyo Bush Bucks, who started off on high note, easily surrendered their lead as they went on to lose 3-2 to league rookies Maun Heroes. Heroes continued with their brilliant display as they crushed Gunners of Khwai 3-0 on Saturday.
Fallen giants Makgabisanaga continued with their struggle as they sank deep into the relegation zone following a double loss over the weekend. Since the beginning of the season, Makgabisanaga has collected 5 points from 11 games. Maun Terrors seem to be struggling to maintain their form in the national 1st division, but they have added some much needed firepower to their out of form team with the signing of Zimbabwean international Tendai Katiyo from rivals Delta Winds. The Maun based outfit got the benefit of the doubt from the region over signing the Zimbabwean player even though there were heated arguments over the player’s transfer.
Maun Terrors mentor Gadimaang Tiiso, whose side has been in freefall after a run of poor results, had blamed technical problems and poor officiating by referees each time they play away games. Katiyo first played for Maun Terrors before he moved to Delta Winds in a controversial move that stunned the region. Katiyo was still contracted to Delta Winds but he was released after negotiations between both sides.
Also on the move is striker Menson Firo Mompati who is joining his former club BMC. The players transfer was processed over the weekend and he has completed his move to his old club.
First Division teams get Nike sports equipment
The much-spoken about Nike sponsorship deal for First Division teams has finally been struck.
The first division North and South teams, together with the local referees equipment was presented on Friday in Gaborone to teams and referees.
The General Manager of the Premier League, Setete Phuthego, said that he was glad the negotiations finally became fruitful as they had hoped for.
“There are 60 pairs of boots, 5 balls and 18 sets of kits for each team in the First Division North and South. Each referee has 3 sets with a warm-up set and goalkeepers get 2 sets,” said Phuthego.
The secretary of the National Referees Committee, Marvelous Shangare, could not hide his happiness over the sponsorship deal.
Shangare said that their motive is to help and develop referees, and applauded the BFA for undertaking negotiations for the sponsorship - “this is a great motivation for referees to work hard as they would then realise their importance to our football,” he said.
Dintle Mphele, vice president technical at BFA, applauded the Premier League for looking at the amateurs and helping them find sponsorship.
“Nowadays it is difficult to acquire sponsorship as the sponsors choose who they want to sponsor,” said Mphele. He further said that it is a good direction for the Premier League as they want to turn professional. The jerseys are unmarked, with no logos on either side, which the BFA said is done intentionally for companies and individuals who want a partnership with First Division North and South teams to advertise.
BFA prepares for national under 15 selections
In an attempt to catch them young and subject young players to an intensive technical skill development countrywide, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) will hold an inter regional under 15 tournament on February 19 – 21 in Gaborone for eight BFA south regions. In the northern region, the tournament will be from February 26 to 28 at Ghanzi. The Ghanzi region will then join the teams that will converge in Francistown after the tournament.
The teams that will be selected in the south and north regions will form a build-up Under 15 national team that will form the future Under 17 national squad.
All regional coaches and BFA regional league administration structures including the Youth League where operational and Re Ba Bona programmes are being asked to ensure the formation of such teams for ease participation, in liaison with BOPSSA and BISA regional structures. BOPSSA (Primary schools) and BISA (Secondary schools) structures should be fully involved since these age categories of children born on or after January 1 1996 until December 1997 are in schools. The deadline for confirmation of participation is February 8.
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05 Feb 2010 22:02
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03 Feb 2010 05:42
Edition 491 29 January - 05 Febuary 2010
Tel: 686 4807 Fax: 686 0257 e-mail: tnt@info.bw
The moment Thamalalo Reitsanye had dreamed about . . . her own house after struggling in a makeshift shelter made of plastic to shelter her six grandchildren in the cold and in rain and wind. In this picture, Police Divisional Commander North, Senior Assistant Commissioner Oreeditse Mautle cuts the ribbon to officially hand over the house to her. (Picture: Bright Kholi) See also more pictures on Weekender
Dignity restored as granny gets house
NATA –Like the nursery rhyme about “the old woman in the shoe’, a Nata grandmother has swopped her make-shift house made from discarded plastics for a new brick house built with the help of the business community in Nata and Maun. The project was coordinated by the Nata Men Sector and through an article published in The NgamiTimes calling for donations that would help in building the house, this ensured the project was a success.
Seventy-year-old Thamalalo Reitsanye was given the house at a ceremony last Saturday attended by village elders and politicians.
Giving an overview of the project, United States Peace Corps volunteer working in Nata village, Pedro Martinez, said the project could not have been possible without the input of The Ngami Times for publishing an article that called for donations that could help in building the house. As News Editor of The NgamiTimes, this reporter was given a standing ovation at the event as Martinez described him as the person who pioneered the call for donations. The guest speaker at the event, Police Divisional Commander North, Senior Assistant Commissioner Oreeditse Mautle, told the gathering that he has always known that contrary to the perceptions of many, the media plays a very important in society. He also commended the Nata Men Sector for having managed to successfully meet its three targets in just less than a year. Reitsanye was full of joy as she thanked those who built the house for her. She said that with the house, she will no longer worry about the rain and cold winter nights.
‘DEAD MAN SIGNED LAND LEASE’
Maun businessman Nicky Masheko allegedly lied to a potential buyer of a Boseja plot that his father, Spyros Nicholau, had died and therefore he was entitled to take over the property.
Two plots are the centerpiece of a court case that involves false death claims, thousands of pula changing hands, the involvement of a Tawana Land Board employee and the lawful owner of the second plot.
All this was told this week by a witness in the forgery trial of Masheko and Castro Kemohilwe Molefe, an employee of Tawana Land Board. They are facing 10 counts of obtaining by false pretences and forgery.
At the start of proceedings, Masheko’s lawyer, Charles Tlagae, of Tlagae Attorneys, Maun, submitted that statements given to him on the day of trial were “very bulky” and asked to be given a day to go over those with his client and be able to advice him accordingly.
Molefe, when asked if he had brought his attorney to court, said he would need a postponement of the matter so that he could take the statements to his lawyers, Letshego Legal Guard. State counsel Kgosietsile Ngakaagae, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, opposed the postponement saying that the case had already taken over 3 years, and that some of the witnesses involved are coming from Gaborone to give evidence. The State would therefore suffer a financial loss due to a further postponement.
“I (have) never heard of a law entity called Letshego. I understand it to be an insurance company”, commented Ngakaagae.
Molefe’s application was refused by Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma.
The case revolves around allegations that Masheko and Molefe, acting jointly and with common purpose to defraud, obtained P137 000 from Kepu Consultants (Pty) Ltd by falsely pretending that Masheko had lawful title and authority to sell Plot No.226 and Plot No 25 in Boseja Industrial, Maun. The money was allegedly payable by the consultants to Masheko while, in fact, he had no lawful authority to sell the plots. The other counts for forgery are that the two forged an agreement of lease for business plots with respect to plot 226, forged a tribal lease sketch for plot No 226 and forged a Tawana Land Board resolution for it.
Anthony Michler (47), from South Africa, who is a shareholder and director of Kepu Consultants, told the court that he had asked people he worked with if they knew someone who can help them with an industrial plot.
“A friend of mine by the name of Sydney Nkemelang who does trucking services, normally transporting materials to our sites, introduced us to Masheko. We both went with Masheko to plot 226 to see it. “Nicky then produced a lease in the name of Butterfly Investment, named under Spyros Nicholau, and told us that he had authority to sell the property as the owner was his father and who had passed away some years back and that the plot was passed on to him.
“We both looked at the document together, and saw on the tribal sketch that the property on the ground was bigger than the sketch on the document.” The court heard that Masheko called Molefe who then appeared at the site using a Tawana Land Board vehicle and introduced himself as a technical officer for Tawana Land Board. “He looked at our issue and told us that he could revise the sketch. I believed both gentlemen were telling the truth,” Michler said.
“The next day we met at our offices and an agreement of sale for plot 226 was drawn out. An amount of P10 000 was paid to Masheko being part of P20 000.00, and the next day he picked up the balance of P10 000.”
Michler further told court that Masheko and Molefe came with revised sketches for plot 226. Masheko them told them that he had another plot for sale, plot 25, which they went to see and signed another agreement of sale for the plot. A total of P6 500 was paid to Masheko.
On September 19, the two visited Michler saying they needed P5 000 to process the title deed for plot 226 and a cheque was issued to Molefe.
“Two days after being shown the lease, Masheko came and said he needed P8 000 being part of payment for plot 226. He was advanced the amount.
“He came on three occasions with the unsigned lease, asking for money. We then refused. Nicky then blamed Molefe for not doing things in order to getting the lease signed. “On October 12, the two came with the signed lease and a final payment of P75 000 was made. Molefe told us that we could develop the plot. “We did so and hired Shumba Plant Hire to level the plot, and we also ordered concrete from Maun Quarries amounting to P14 000,” he said. Michler told the court that while assessing plot 25 to see the type of infrastructure to put there, a person named William Dugmore saw him and asked what he was doing. He told Dugmore that they had bought it and were still deciding on how to develop it.
Dugmore told him that the plot belonged to Elizabeth Caldwell “and even gave me her contact details. I was shocked. Nervously I suspected something was wrong.
“I then phoned and met Caldwell who produced the documents for plot 25. We told Masheko about the incident and that Caldwell was indeed the owner of plot 25. His response was “that woman is lying, she tried that 2 years back.”
He said when they confronted Molefe who said he can produce the file for plot 25 to counter Caldwell’s ownership. He did so and the documents were copied.
“I then went to the Tawana Land Board to discuss our concerns over the ownership of plot 25. On arrival at Tawana Land Board, the staff found it amusing. All were laughing, telling us that the lease was false and the person who signed it was dead.
“We were advised not to report with the police but to go straight to the Directorate on Crime and Economic Corruption (DCEC).We did that and they ordered us to carry on with the two gentlemen as if nothing had happened.
“The DCEC decided to record phone calls. Eight calls were recorded covering conversations on the two plots,” Michler said.
Masheko is said to have been in Gaborone trying to process the title deed for the two plots and it was suggested that he phone Molefe to ask him how much was needed to finalise everything. Molefe phoned and suggested P2 900.
“We did write a cheque and Molefe, using a Tawana Land Board vehicle, collected the cheque. On leaving, he was caught by the DCEC officers,” Michler added.
“All the cheques were made by me or my partner (identified in court as one Trevor) as either one of us would sign the cheque and they all showed, through the bank statement, that they debited our account.”
In cross examination, Tlagae asked Michler if he had never bought land before and if he was familiar with the procedures done when buying leased property. Michler said he was not familiar with the procedures.
Tlagae asked him if he ever asked Masheko about the shareholders and directors behind Butterfly Investments.
“Masheko told us that the owner of the plot was dead. I trusted him as he said the property belonged to him. I was indeed convinced in person because he even produced the original lease for the property,” Michler said.
Tlagae: “Then you were left without doubt that what you saw was original lease from Tawana Land Board?”
Michler: “Masheko produced it and said it was the lease for the property. It was written as Tawana Land Board, and the fact that Molefe Castro came during this deal using the Land Board vehicle and said he was the technical officer indeed left me without doubt as I trusted them.”
Tlagae: “You want to tell me that where you come from, in South Africa, will you be convinced if someone tells you that his father passed away and has been authorised to sell the land?”
Michler responded that because Masheko told him that the property was his “on his personal basis, I believed him.”
Tlagae told Michler that “the statement that you give today in court is not in the statements written for the DCEC. There is nowhere you wrote that Masheko told you that Spyros was dead. The statements were made (in) December 2006 when presumably things were still fresh in your mind. Suddenly you remember that, (so) then I am putting it to you that it is an afterthought.”
The State counsel for the case is Kgosietsile Ngakaagae, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
The trial continues on July 26.
Anti-malaria spraying runs into problems
The North West District Council (NWDC) is to intensify its public education campaign about malaria. This follows difficulties it has experienced in spraying and to “minimise the myths associated with the spray.” According to the NWDC, malaria is a major vector borne disease with almost 42% of the population living in malaria-prone areas. Botswana has put strategies in place to fight the disease to ensure a malaria-free country by 2015. Indoor residual spraying of insecticides is one of the main strategies. Discussions on this were held recently at a meeting to evaluate the just-ended project, with the main aim of the meeting to find out the successes and challenges experienced.
The meeting was attended by the ministries of Local Government and Health and facilitated by the NWDC. Challenges faced by the NWDC resulted in not being able to meet the 2010 target set by the World Health Organisation – 80% coverage of malaria areas. The total coverage for Ngami is 84% and Okavango sub-district 64% which gave the North West District a total of 74% coverage this year.
“Lack of co-operation from the community was one of the main challenges faced during the spraying season,” says the NWDC. “The community resisted to open their houses for the spraying crews, giving reasons such as having babies or patients in the house. Some resisted without giving valid reasons and some houses were also found to be locked because owners were on the lands ploughing.”
Traffic police hot under the collar
Maun is not a place noted for its courteous motorists.
Many motorists will testify to reckless behaviour by taxi drivers, BX vehicle drivers and large trucks. So far we have been spared many horrendous accidents but judging by the way these people handle their vehicles, such a moment cannot be too far off.
So it was refreshing to read in a story published this week how the Maun police traffic officers view our motorists – and more so, the taxi drivers.
This is what they say: “The police traffic department has also so far played a significant role in their whirlwind chase for wayward motorists, who deliberately disobey traffic laws and regulations, and they are almost succeeding looking at the decline in traffic related crimes.”
There was praise for non-taxi motorists from district traffic officer Superintendent Alfred Magudu, who speaking in his personal capacity, said “motorists in Maun are very good on the roads”, except for taxi drivers whom he said are hard to work with and have a different attitude which the police want to discourage.
“These are the only people who complicate our job because they are always on the wrong side of the law. Those whom we feel go above the law will always be brought down and given stiff sentences because they cause us pain where it hurts most,” he said.
That’s what we need to hear. Errant motorists need to feel the pain of big fines for speeding, ignoring traffic rules, overtaking on the wrong side of the road, or slouching behind the wheel with an arm hanging out of the window so following drivers do not know whether he or she is ready to turn right or left.
Then there are those who drive without licences as they think that having scraped through the licence theory test they are capable of handling a vehicle on the open road.
It’s enough to bring on “road rage.”
Television nature films would have loved this one!
Shuffle arrived at his home last week to find several household items strewn on the kitchen floor. There had been high winds and much rain, so thought that perhaps the items had been blown down.
The next day the mystery deepened when Shuffle again arrived home to find two smashed wine glasses, again on the kitchen floor, and other items in disarray. The difference this time was that the glasses were quite high up on a shelf and out of harm’s way when it came to wind or rain.
So what caused it? Shuffle and Mrs Shuffle tried to work out. Was the house haunted? Had a tokoloshe taken up residence?
Shuffle later needed the toilet – and made a startling discovery . . . a pair of very frightened black eyes was looking up at him from inside the toilet bowl! Yikes, was it a Creature from the Black Lagoon?
“I found the tokoloshe,” I yelled, still not knowing what type of animal was staring up at me. Previously the house (not the toilet) had been visited by a snake and a large monitor lizard that came in through the bathroom window and could not get out of the bath . . .
The animal in the toilet moved a bit, probably to secure a better foothold on the smooth sides of the bowl.
It was then we realised the animal was in fact a very wet squirrel that had obviously decided to keep out of the rain, entered the house, announced its unseen presence by careering around the kitchen area – and landed up in the toilet while looking for water.
Can you imagine the drama if someone had decided to sit on the toilet without knowing the squirrel had taken up residence . . .
With the assistance of Puso the nightwatchman, two plastic bags and a stick, the squirrel was gingerly taken out of what could have been a watery grave and released back into the wild, probably saying with a backward glance “and nuts to you!”.
One would like to think it will be a long time before that squirrel makes another sortie into the Shuffle house and we now wonder also whether it managed to get its eyes back to normal size compared to the virtual organ stops that greeted Shuffle at the start of the rescue operation?
These days the media is regarded as a necessary evil – if you can denigrate the Fourth Estate, do so, seems to be the motto for many, and certainly in this country.
But the media has its advantages, such as has been found at Nata where this newspaper – more particularly our News Editor, Bright Kholi - was instrumental in getting a house built for a grandmother who lived in a makeshift shelter covered by plastic off-cuts.
The role Kholi played was praised to the hilt when the new house was handed to her last Saturday. Shuffle is therefore very proud of the role Kholi played.
Shuffle remembers clearly the day when Kholi returned from an assignment in Nata and told about the woman’s plight after having met Pedro Martinez, of the United States Peace Corps, who has spent couple of years in the village doing voluntary work.
We took a decision to publicise her plight, just as we have done for other unfortunates, and started a campaign through our columns for assistance, any assistance. It wasn’t long in coming in the shape of bricks, timber, fencing, steel, and cement.
There was also the willing assistance of the Nata Men Sector who co-ordinated the project.
Thank you to everyone involved.
Letters to the Editor
Sir, - It is very unfortunate that I have to respond to an editoral piece that appeared on your weekly newspaper of January 22-29, 2010.
Let me correct a few inaccuracies and misleading information your published that in a way makes some insinuations about the author of the story on the challenges faced by Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital.
Firstly, the author of the story that was first published by the Daily News and then the copy used by your paper in the January 15-22 edition has never visited the hospital with the Maun West MP Moremi Tawana. As far as I know, the presentation about the hospital by Dr Maxwell Mungisi was made during a briefing session to the MP held at the Rural Administration Centre (RAC) conference room on January 8 by different government departments.
I am not aware that the RAC Conference room has moved to Letsholathebe II Memorial hospital.
Secondly, the author of the story saw something newsworthy at the briefing session and decided to come up with a story, using what Dr Mungisi said without having to limit the content of his briefing to the MP.
There was no reason to exercise limited exposure as you put it in your editorial as the information was said in public for all and sundry to hear. It is unfortunate that none of your journalists were present to at least make much of the story.
Thirdly, I do not remember at any time where Dr Mungisi was pressed for answers by the former Paramount Chief and now Maun West MP. The information given was voluntary, just like other departments’ heads did.
By the way, this author also presented on behalf of his department as the head and was also never pressed for answers.
Lastly, appreciate the fact that the government sponsored Botswana Press Agency (BOPA) managed to publish something that made it into the front page of your paper, which definitely helped in the sales of the paper. It is such unnecessary attacks on government journalists that creates conflict between the private and public media.
Get your facts straight next time, and at least confirm with the original publisher of the story before writing inaccurate and misleading editorials.
Kesentse Ketumile (author of the original story)
Head of Department
Information Services (Maun/Gumare)
Editor’s Note: We are happy to put the record straight on this matter and thanks the writer for pointing out possible errors. The BOPA story made no mention of a briefing session at the RAC and it appeared to us that this had taken place at the hospital. This newspaper was not present (nor invited) to a briefing session as, is usual at that time of the year, the offices were closed to allow our staff the opportunity to spend the festive season with their families. We also do not promote conflict, as is insinuated, between ourselves as a member of the private media and the government media.
A wonderful day in Nata . . . the house which The Ngami Times helped to build and furnish has been officially handed over to 70-year-old Thamalalo Reitsanye, a grandmother of six who used to spend days and nights under a rough shelter with her grandchildren. Now the family has a roof over their heads, and furniture and food donated by Nata businesses. These picture show the activity at the handing over ceremony last Saturday when Bright Kholi, News Editor of The Ngami Times, was publicly thanked for his role in ensuring the old lady was accommodated in the way we would all wish. Top (left) is the canvas tent structure which served as the family home, with (right) the new house. Bottom (left), Peter McClelland, general manager of North Gate Lodge, Nata, hands groceries to Reitsanye and (right) US Peace Corps volunteer Pedro Martinez gave her other donations. (Pictures: Bright Kholi)
Now we know – even chimps can do it!
The world’s first film shot entirely by chimpanzees is to be broadcast by the BBC as part of a natural history documentary. The apes created the movie using a specially designed chimp-proof camera given to them by primatologists. The film-making exercise is part of a scientific study into how chimpanzees perceive the world and each other. Making the movie was the brainchild of primatologist Betsy Herrelko, who is studying for a PhD in primate behaviour at the University of Stirling, in Scotland. Over 18 months, she introduced video technology to a group of 11 chimpanzees living in a newly built enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo. The enclosure, which contains three large interlinked outdoor arenas, as well as a series of smaller rooms in which the apes can be studied by researchers, is the largest of its kind in the world. Despite the fact that the chimps had never taken part in a research project before, they soon displayed an interest in film-making. Herrelko set the chimps two challenges - first was to teach the chimps how to use a touch screen to select different videos and the second was to give the apes a “Chimpcam”, a recording camera housed in a chimp-proof box. On top of the box was a video screen that showed live images of whatever the camera was pointing at. Initially, the chimps were more interested in each other than the video technology, as two male chimps within the study group vied to become the alpha male, disrupting the experiment but over time, some of the chimps learned how to select different videos to watch. For example, the chimps could use a touch screen to decide whether to watch footage of their outside enclosure, or the food preparation room, where zoo staff prepare the chimps’ meals. The results still have to be analysed in detail, but it seems the chimps did not prefer to watch any of these images over the others. Herrelko is not sure why, but it could be that the images shown were too familiar to the chimps or because they have no way of asking to see something different. Then, in the final stage of her work, she investigated what happened when she gave the Chimpcam to the whole group. Gradually, the chimps started playing with the Chimpcam, carrying it around the enclosure and soon became interested in the camera view screen on the Chimpcam box, watching what happened as they moved the Chimpcam around filming new images. Overall, they were more interested in the Chipcam viewfinder than they were the touch screen in the research room. The apes are unlikely to have actively tried to film any particular subject, or understand that by carrying Chimpcam around, they were making a film. However, the result, as well as providing new information on how chimps like to see the world, may yet go down in television history.
News Feature
Ngamiland not a conducive place for many
Civil servants and others working in Gaborone for instance are not that enthusiastic about relocation to Maun and other areas of Ngamiland. They think this area is “backward” and ‘a hindrance to future prospects.” Basadi Morokotso investigates.
I have always wondered why people, more especially government officials and those from parastatals always choose to step back or drag their feet whenever they are facing transfers to Ngamiland. Many have voiced their concerns and frustrations - and have always blamed their employers and held grudges, more especially in cases where they thought their transfers were inappropriate or fuelled by jealousy from co-workers. The poor infrastructural development in the region and the slow pace in development is also said to be a major contributing factor that authorities seem to turn a blind eye to. The North West District Council (NWDC) has also on numerous occasions failed its people because of failed promises to see to it that projects are done and completed before scheduled dates.
The NWDC has also always vowed to crack the whip on contractors who fail to deliver on time and meet agreed deadlines, but still there are delays which have brought development to a standstill - an immediate example being the new bus rank which has left tongues wagging because of the controversy surrounding it as well as delayed services. In Sehithwa, for instance, residents long ago gave proposals for the construction of access roads within the village and for the many potholes on existing roads to be attended to because they are an eyesore. Nothing has been done. Most employees in various professions have been blamed for their “habit” of accepting transfers, only to fight for a transfer back to where they came from or opt to resign. On the other hand, the vastness of the region also has an impact on those who have never worked at such busy duty stations. For instance, Wildlife officials are always faced with the mammoth task of working around the clock attending to issues of human-elephant conflict which have up to now never been addressed amicably, thus creating divisions between concerned communities and relevant authorities.
The same scenario does not differ with veterinary officials who have also not had any rest since the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, and at times attending to veld fires. Members of the Botswana Defence Force, together with Botswana Police Service, have of recent also attended to a spate of robberies, murder cases, missing persons, stock theft as well as incidents of drowning in the crocodile infested Thamalakane River. The police traffic department has also so far played a significant role in their whirlwind chase for wayward motorists, who deliberately disobey traffic laws and regulations, and they are almost succeeding looking at the decline in traffic related crimes. District traffic officer Superintendent Alfred Magudu was quick to point that from his personal point of view, motorists in Maun are very good on the roads, except for taxi drivers whom he said are hard to work with and have a different attitude which the police want to discourage. “These are the only people who complicate our job because they are always on the wrong side of the law. Those whom we feel go above the law will always be brought down and given stiff sentences because they cause us pain where it hurts most,” he said. I have also realised that people’s workloads differ depending on where one is placed. In the South region, for instance, the pressure is easy to handler because people do office work mostly. No wonder it always comes as a shock when they are to relocate! Officials also decry the fact that they are placed in the same places for quite a long time and without chances of a further transfer. Some of these places are so remote that people feel isolated from the rest of the world.
Is food ‘best before’ or can it be ‘used by’?
Health inspectors this week have been touring Ngamiland confiscating tinned foodstuffs and other items from shop shelves because they believe these are expired goods. Malcolm Thomas, general manager of a major co-operative chain, said he had for a number of years “been in conflict with health authorities of the Okavango sub-district council concerning the issue.” Thomas says he has tried without success to get a ruling from the relevant authorities on what is or what is not an expiry date – or “best before” dates.
In desperation he contacted the Food Standards Agency in Britain for a ruling which he thinks Botswana should adhere to as well.
The Agency says that a “use by” date means a person should not buy food or drink after the date on the label as “even if it looks and smells fine (as} using it after this date could be a health risk.”
This is applicable to milk, soft cheese, ready-prepared salads and smoked fish and, in addition, any foodstuff with a “use by” date should be kept in a fridge.
Items marked with “best before” include frozen, dried or canned foods and are safe to eat although the food itself may not be at its best because it could have lost flavour and texture.
This does not include eggs which should not be eaten after a “best before” date. In Britain, shops are allowed to sell food after a “best before” date has been passed. However, in Ngamiland, health inspectors confiscate such goods even though they can be safely purchased and consumed,” Thomas said. According to the British, food stamped “best before” mark is because of quality rather than safety and does not mean such food is dangerous.
Top scientists to investigate and study wetlands
International experts on wetlands are converging on Maun to attend a major conference next week.
It is being held in conjunction with World Wetlands Day on February 2 when the national commemoration will be held in Maun.
The international event takes place from February 1 to 5 at Maun Lodge.
The symposium offers local, national and international stakeholders an opportunity to discuss and share experiences on pertinent issues relating to wetlands management in terms of governance, public participation, research, planning and trans-boundary management.
Environment, Wildlife and Tourism minister Kitso Mokaila opens the conference.
During the morning of Tuesday (February 2) participants will observe wetlands day through activities which include a march and a message from the Ramsar Secretariat.
Activities are meant to sensitise and raise public awareness on issues of wetlands management and utilisation. The 2010 commemoration is under the theme: “Caring for Wetlands - an Answer to Climate Change.”
The theme is said to underscore the importance of wetlands in climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the relationship between wetlands biodiversity and socio-economic activities. Debates on issues of climate change, biological diversity loss and wise use of natural resources continue to receive international attention. Wetlands ecosystems feature as having a potential to provide solutions these debates. Solution packages to these challenges are sourced through subscriptions to international conventions such the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention Wetlands of International Importance.
Wetlands are home to varying forms of biological diversity and are a source of livelihood for communities living within them.
Thrills and spills in Coca Cola Cup games
Extension Gunners produced a glittering performance to see off newly promoted Jwaneng Comets in the last 32 of the Coca Cola Cup games in Molepolole on Sunday and delivered due warning of their ambitions in this year’s edition.Gunners produced a top drawer performance to run away 5-1winners. Ofentse Mmipi found the net twice through a wickedly deflected free kick and a tap in while Burundian Christopher Ndayishimiye bagged himself a hat trick. In other games, Gaborone United ran amok and walloped minnows Combination Stars 13-0 at the Francistown Stadium. As Stars failed to get their combinations right, Moyagoleele had a field day with Ronald Chikomo scoring six and Wellington Maposa scoring five. The other goals were scored by Tiroyamodimo Mohambi, Mandla Mgadla and Mpho Mabogo to complete a miserable afternoon for the minnows. At the White City Grounds, Queens Happy Hearts’ resistance fizzled out in the second half as Mochudi Centre Chiefs found their footing to send the second division outfit packing. On the day it was Kekaetswe Moloi and an own goal that put paid to the ambitions of Hearts.
In Selibe Phikwe, the irrepressible Rollers forward line punched holes in the FC Satmos defence to come out 5-1 victors. Terence Mandaza’s hattrick and goals by Thando Moreki and Joel Mogorosi were enough to secure a spot in the next round for the league hopefuls. The bewildered Selibe Phikwe outfit’s consolation goal came from journeyman System Mubi.Tonota FC had no answers to the Uniao Flamengo Santos onslaught as the latter ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Boitshoko Zikhale and Mogakolodi Ngele while a solitary goal ensured Tafic’s passage to the next round against Ghanzi Terrors.Motlakase Power Dynamos waved BDF XI through to the next round through some sloppy defending and erratic goalkeeping as the latter ran out 2-0 through Patrick Motsepe’s and Lemponye Tshireletso’s goals. Bonolo Frazer returned to action in a mean mood as he scored all four Ecco City Greens’ goals as Maphatshwa failed to respond in a one-sided encounter. Great North Tigers eliminated Mochudi Buffaloes 2-1 while Nico United defeated Kang Western Swallows 2-0. Boteti Young Fighters were sent to the cleaners by a battling Mathaithai team via a 3-2 scoreline. Miscellaneous also defeated BMC FC 2-1 through goals by Tapiwa Nyamangiva and Innocent Siku while BMC replied through Derrick Badibanga. Letlapeng defeated Naughty Boys 4-3 after the teams were tied at 1- apiece at full time. Police XI beat Black Peril 4-3 after the two were deadlocked 2-2 at full time.
Moeti United on the rampage
Team of the moment Moeti United is enjoying one of its best seasons since their introduction to Nhabe regional league football in 2005. They are now seriously contesting for the league title for the first time and team manager Shathiso Madzonga tells Times Sports he is very impressed with the cooperation and the dedication of the players. The team joined the league amid criticism that it was not going to survive and now Madzonga says Moeti are having the last laugh. “We have signed good players and we are looking forward to maintain this squad. We are happy with the players we have and which I believe are disciplined. “People were underrating us, but now you can see we are playing good football,” Madzonga says. Having made their intentions clear from the beginning of the season, they have stood firm against the more highly-rated teams in the league. After struggling to adapt in the competitive league over the past seasons, Moeti United team manager Madzonga has worked tirelessly with senior players to put up a very strong squad.
The team is built around young and experienced senior players who have struggled with it since formation. In the weekend encounter against Delta Winds, Moeti United took one more step towards the dream of the league title. Beating Delta Winds 2-1 was a great morale booster and the result meant Moeti are now clearly ahead of other contestants. Delta Winds, for their part, suggested only intermittently that they might deny Madzonga’s men three points. At the end of 90 minutes they were on the losing end
“We deserved it. We dominated and our keeper didn’t have too much to do,” a happy Madzonga said. “Three points for Moeti, that’s the main thing. We’ve been playing well.”
Moeti United scored their goals through Oratile Boitshepo and Onkabetse Molatlhegi, while Delta Winds scored through Tshex Tshebetso. Meanwhile Maun Terrors will play at home in the National first division league at Maun Sports Complex against Satmos.
In the Nhabe regional league matches, 12 games has been lined up this weekend - league fixtures between BMC v North West United and Maun Tigers v Delta Winds will be played after the Maun Terrors-Satmos game. The first game between BMC and North West will be at 6pm, and followed by the Delta Winds and Tigers match at 8pm. Other games which were to be played at Cubs ground on Saturday and Sunday has been shifted to the Moeti Ground.
Mudongo complains about his suspension
Suspended Nhabe regional football league vice chairman Andrew Mudongo was a bitter man when he read about his suspension in The Ngami Times last week.
He (Mudongo) stormed into the newspaper’s premises on Monday afternoon complaining about the publication of the story - which he claimed to know nothing about.
Shown a copy of the suspension letter, Mudongo tore it up in front of staff before leaving the building.
When contacted to comment about the suspension of Mudongo, Nhabe regional league committee chairperson Kgato Motai confirmed to Times Sports that Mudongo was served with a suspension letter “and he knows about it.”
He added: “It is true. Mudongo has been suspended and I am surprised to hear that he is complaining, but the information is true that he has been suspended for a year,” said Motai.
The letter was delivered to him by a committee member, but it was said that he tore up letter/ and did not read the contents.
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25 Jan 2010 12:36
Edition 491 22 - 29 January 2010
These pictures show the JNG bus that overturned recently 5 kilometres West of Mopipi in Boteti Sub district. The bus, which was going to Gaborone had left Maun at 5:30 am and the accident happened around 8:30 in what is suspected by the police as a loss of control by the driver. A total of 42 passengers was injured, of which 15 were seriously injured - 12 were admitted to Orapa, 2 to Letlhakane hospital and one critically injured was taken to Nyangabgwe referral hospital in Francistown. The bus was carrying 50 passengers.
HORROR DISCOVERY IN LOCKED HUT
An “unbearable smell” has led to the discovery of the decomposing body of a man in a hut which was locked and unoccupied for 5 years.
An 80-year-old grandmother made the discovery on her Maun property this week
It is a mystery as to how the body came to be in the hut in Bibirikhwe’s compound in Sanyedi ward.
Compound owner Mboshe Bibirikhwe denied knowing the dead person, claiming the hut has not been used for a long time. Bibirikhwe said on Monday morning she was to visit her daughter in Sedie ward as her grandchild was ill. Before she left, she detected “an unbearable smell” in her yard but did not know if it was from a human body or that of a dead animal.
“I suspected it could be from a smelly mop,” she said.
Mboshe asked her sister, Jendo Bibirikhwe, to search for the cause of the smell while she went to Sedie ward - “On my return, Jendo told me that the smell was coming from the hut. It had attracted hundreds of ants at the entrance. She had tried to open the door but it was locked. We both put pressure on the door trying to open it but were unsuccessful.
“The smell became worse after I managed to open a window to see what caused it.”
She said they were helped by a passerby to open the door. This man asked the sisters to stand back before he opened it as “the smell was very strong” and could affect their health.
She said they were shocked to hear of the discovery of a decomposing man’s body.
Police were immediately called.
The sisters said that to their knowledge, the hut had not been in use for a long time and that the owner died 5 years ago. They said the hut was locked. Maun Police Station commander, Robson Maleka confirmed the incident, saying there were no documents retrieved from the hut to identify body. “The condition in which the body was found meant it was beyond recognition,” Maleka said.
A police pathologist from Francistown was rushed to Maun to attend to the incident and did a post-mortem in the same hut. The pathologist instructed police officers to have the body buried the same day. Maleka said his office had not received any a report of a missing person.
At a kgotla meeting addressed by the Botswana Police Service this week, Maleka urged Maun residents not to accommodate people that they do not know and especially those without documents such as an Omang or passport.
Fishermen warned of illegal activities
Fishermen on the Thamalakane River or elsewhere will soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law as no fishing is allowed until March 1.This was said in an interview with the Assistant Scientific Officer of Fisheries in the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Yolanda Lekgabe.
She said since the fishing season ended on December 1, 2009, department officers have made patrols along the rivers so as to discourage people from fishing illegally. This, she said was because it is breeding season for most fish and as a result the break was to enable fish stocks to replenish themselves.
Lekgabe said whenever they come across such illegal fishermen during their many patrols, they confiscate fishing nets and fine them P200 or offenders would face prison terms if a first offender and should they fail to pay.
Fines and charges increase according to the nature of the offence.
She said in most cases fishermen are always quick to pay because they do not want to part with their nets, some of which she said are expensive. Officials have come across a “good number of very old nets at the old Fisheries office in Maun, which shows owners abandoned them after failing to pay the fines.”
She called on members of the public to be on the look out and report whoever they suspect or see fishing, adding that department officers will continue with patrols and will make follow up investigations.
‘Lawless rivers’ may be tamed
By Bright Kholi
A scary scenario on all waterways in Botswana is that there is no law whatsoever that regulates the use of motor boats.
The reality is that anyone can operate a boat on the river, at any speed and in any state. Some people who operate boats are said by officials to be inebriated, unqualified youths are allowed to operate boats while other boats are overloaded. There are also boats used for water skiing and these are also not licensed or regulated.
This has in many instances caused accidents, some of which have caused deaths. In one such incident late last year, a powerboat under the control of an under-age pilot struck a boat carrying Dutch tourists on the Thamalakane River. One tourist was severely injured and evacuated by air to a Johannesburg hospital for urgent medical attention. In an interview with The Ngami Times this week, the head of the aquatic division at the Department of Water Affairs, Ngurungudla Naidu, said he “had difficulties explaining the situation.” According to Naidu, there are no laws that regulate water traffic in Botswana and as such people do as they wish on the rivers. Naidu also revealed that although there are some organisations which train their staff in boat handling, there is no licensing authority that issues people with licenses to operate boats. He added there is basically nothing that one can use to take people to task if they operate their boats in a dangerous manner in the Rivers. The department is however tasked with the registration of boats in different areas in Botswana. They also spray foreign boats with insecticides or other compounds to kill any weeds that they may introduce into rivers. “Monitoring of these registered boats is also very difficult and recently we distributed pamphlets in which we warned tour operators of over-speeding in the river and that anybody using the river should travel at 30 km/h,” Naidu said. Naidu is of the view that talks are necessary with stakeholders and recommendations made to the relevant authorities on the best way of coming up with suitable marine laws. He said that in Maun there are many complaints lodged by people who live along the Boro and Thamalakane rivers because of “the noise of some very fast and dangerous skiing boats that have now invaded the rivers.” The speeding, especially during weekends, was described as “the most dangerous as collisions are common.” Naidu noted that water skiers have become so dangerous that they have no regard for other river users. Some boat are said to have refused to listen to pleas that they minimise the use of the boats in the river - “all we can do is try and talk to them, but there is nothing else we can do as Water Affairs,” Naidu said. It is not just the Thamalakane River that experiences problems. The Chobe River is also said to be a problem area.
* See picture on Weekender page.
Raids nab businesses, lodges and motorists
Police have been on a major raid in Maun to root out aliens, businesses operating without licences or without licences allowing them to sell particular items, and the breaking of liquor laws.
This week road blocks were set up throughout the town, one at 4am when motorists on Sir Seretse Khama road were stopped.
Major supermarkets as well as filling station all-night shops have been asked for their licences entitling these to sell items deemed to be dangerous – including Blue Death and other insecticides. A special licence from the Ministry of Agriculture is required to sell such items.
Supermarket shelves carrying such items were cleared and strong warnings issued to shop managers. It is known that at least one manager was taken to Maun police station for questioning.
Restaurants and tourism lodges were also targetted, with at least one being fined P2 000 for selling liquor after 11pm on the weekend. It is understood that owners of these establishments were all told that if they should continue to sell liquor after official hours, they could lose their licences.
When it was pointed out to the police, labour, immigration and North West District Council task team that Francistown and Gaborone establishments continued to sell beyond stipulated hours, they were told that the focus was on Maun and not other centres.
Employees of the Supplies Division, in the North West District Council, handing over donations of stand pipes to needy families in Boseja. See story on page 8.
Who killed and buried this 2-year-old?
By Bright Kholi
SHAKAWE -Who killed and buried the 2-year-old? That the question on the lips of Nxamasere residents and Shakawe police following the discovery of the boy’s body in a shallow grave recently.
In an interview with The Ngami Times this week, Assistant Superintendent Ndiko Size, of Shakawe police, said that it appeared three children were playing together - the deceased, a 4 year old and an 8 year old.
The dead child was staying with the grandfather who had gone to a funeral service while the mother was at work in Shakawe. The youngster had been left with his elder brother and the 8 year old neighbour.
Malibala said on arrival back, the parents had realised that the boy was missing and tried to trace him but to no avail, and they also could not get any information from the brother.
After failing to locate the child, they called for help and a manhunt was initiated which resulted in the discovery of the horrifying scene of the child buried in a shallow grave in the bushes. A small log had been placed over the grave. There was only one footprint seen at the grave and is allegedly that of an 8 year old boy who was with the deceased and his brother.
Malibala has said that in trying to question the 8 year old, they got nowhere as he just couldn’t speak.
“He says that at one point the deceased was crying and he was in the sun. He picked up the child and put him under shade but asked what happened after that, he simply does not want to go there,” he said.
Malibala noted the three had been eating wild berries (Moretologa) from a nearby bush.
An addition to this puzzle is that the 8 year old did not sleep at home on the day of the incident.
Malibala said nothing can be ruled out, adding that they are awaiting postmortem results.
The child was buried last Friday.
Malibala has warned parents to always look after their children, especially as the Okavango River has started receiving the first flood waters of the year. He said the water brings crocodiles and snakes which find children easy prey.
Malibala also appealed to people to look out for burrow pits that have been filled with water and in which adults and children have drowned.
Scientific studies aid planning for Okavango River basin
Planning for use of water and natural resources in the Okavango River Basin - shared by Angola, Namibia and Botswana - will receive substantial support this year in the form of consolidated scientific evidence about the condition of the river and its surroundings.
The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management of the Okavango River Basin (EPSMO) Project, which has been gathering information about water flow, plants, animals and human activities in the river basin for the past two years, will finalise its transboundary diagnostic analysis (TDA) report in May. It will provide essential data to support decision making by the three countries. The Basin is unusual in that its waters and shores are relatively pristine, protected for many years by low human population pressures.
In its upper reaches, Angola’s long armed conflict restricted opportunities for development.
OKACOM designed the EPSMO Project to evaluate the condition of the river basin, to identify possible threats posed by increasing demands on the river’s benefits and to develop a program of policy, legal and institutional reforms-a Strategic Action Plan-to meet and manage these demands. The first step was the TDA.
Based on scientific analysis and expert opinion, the TDA aimed to anticipate environmental, social and economic impacts and the requisite policy and institutional challenges of flow regime change due to water resources developments in the basin such as abstractions, impounds, land use change or climate change. A multidisciplinary team of scientists from the University of Botswana’s Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research centre (HOORC) in Maun, the Polytechnic of Namibia, Agostinho Neto University in Angola and the University of Cape Town (South Africa) produced specialist analyses of hydrology, hydraulics, channel form, water quality, vegetation, aquatic invertebrates, fish, birds, river-dependent terrestrial wildlife, resource economics and socio-cultural issues.
The resulting reports were then pulled together using a cutting-edge method called environmental flow analysis to build scenarios for future possible uses of the river system’s resources
OKACOM’s commissioners will be able to use these scenarios to identify opportunities and concrete projects and programmes needed to balance the needs of conservation and development.
Next month, OKACOM will discuss implements of the study’s findings in a special panel session at the University of Botswana’ Flood Pulsed Wetlands International Symposium at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre in Maun, Botswana. The Commission will make the TDA report available following its annual meeting in May. The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission is in intergovernmental body set up in 1994 by the three countries sharing the basin. OKACOM’s mandate is to ensure equitable use and wise management of the river basin’s benefits.
Challenges facing our new hospital
The revelations we published in our last edition about the challenges facing the new Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital do not make nice reading.
The government media did not make much of the story, even though a journalist of the Botswana Press Association (BOPA), which is government sponsored, was present during a visit to the hospital by Tawana Moremi, the MP for Maun West.
Possibly, and as is the case in many countries, the information given about the problems at the institution was of such a sensitive nature that limited exposure was required.
More’s the pity as Maun’s P380-million hospital is, or was, looked upon as a state-of-the-art facility which would cater for a huge area of Botswana, have unique features in its design, be staffed adequately, and provide medical services so necessary to the health of our people.
We have to feel sorry for the chief medical officer, Maxwell Mungisi. This doctor has the unenviable task of making sure his hospital provides a good service.
He is not the sort of person who would try to bluff his way out of trouble, so when he was pressed for answers by a person such as Tawana Moremi, in his position as an MP and as a former Paramount Chief of the Batawana, he had to give the right answers.
The litany of challenges Mungisi mentioned is not acceptable. Eight general practitioners and four specialists out of an establishment of 19, two of five ambulances in working order, too few revenue collectors, a shortage of staff accommodation . . . the list goes on and on.
As Tawana Moremi observed, too little attention has been paid to staffing and too much to the actual construction of the hospital.
Is it a case of “let’s build a great institution” and “don’t worry about the public of the services offered to it”? Let’s hope that is not the attitude and also let’s hope that someone in Gaborone has woken up to the fact that the hospital is facing many challenges caused by inept public servants.
The Four Horsemen of the Temperance have descended on Maun.
No, it is not the famous horsemen of the Apocalypse but almost like it as far as social life in this town is concerned!
The “four horsemen” are in fact police officers from Gaborone whose sole responsibility, it would appear, is to check on bar hours being followed by restaurants, lodges and bars in Maun – laughingly referred to as the “tourist capital of Botswana” and to which could be added “we welcome tourists but you can’t have a drink while you are here.” These past few days the four have spent their time targeting a number of popular tourist haunts along the Thamalakane River, fining one P2 000 for daring to serve drinks to two foreign clients after the bewitching hour.
Friday and Saturday closing time is 11pm according to the Liquor Act. As far as Shuffle is aware, the hours of business have not been changed since the government slapped a 30% increase on the sale of alcohol in an attempt by the State to impose partial or full prohibition on a nation that thoroughly enjoys having a drink. There are now rumours in the south that the percentage figure will soon be increased to drive home the message of sobriety. Maun for years had a deserved reputation of a frontier town where both men and women had the time of their lives. Drink was easy to come by and reputations were made and lost as a result of all the activity. Shuffle won’t go into the nature of “the activity” as that could cause repercussions from here to Cairo and back!
While Bechuanaland (later to be Botswana) was a British Protectorate (note: NOT a colony as some worthies claim), the government in Mafeking and later Gaborone tried to rein in the local roisterers by sending in “tough” district commissioners or police officers. These soon became part of the social scene, and of local lore, and threw in the towel, preferring to join in the fun and games of what must have been a very exciting place in those years.
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Farms bordering the Makgadikgadi pans are getting hot under the collar as they see their goats and other livestock devoured by lions.
According to roving reporter Lets Open, the lions have taken to burrowing under the electrified fence separating the pans from farm land and then grabbing what they can to eat. Readers should not think that lions are dumb – they are quite capable of what they are now being accused of doing just as elephants think nothing of stamping on electric fences or climbing over cordon fences to reach for whatever they may wish.
In a recent message from Khumaga, Lets says a cattle farmer in the area has been compensated handsomely for the loss of goats to lions. It also appears that other farmers have taken pot shots are lions, killing or wounding the animals. One farmer says when he called the responsible ministry he was “given a whole lot of dumb questions while the lions were having a meal of my goats.” Meanwhile, Lets also reports on the activities of what he terms a “rogue elephant” in the Matshwane bush areas near Maun. This is the area where former resident of Mabudutsa in central Maun were relocated some years ago to make way for a taxi rank which has still not been completed. Apparently the elephant has been roaming around water installations, houses and in the bush. It could be the same one that was sighted in Disaneng a few days ago.
Did you know? Israel possesses more nuclear weapons than France and China combined. Israel’s economy is in the world’s top 20 and yet receives financial aid from the United States. Aid from the US to Israel is equivalent to seven dollars per head of population per year whereas American aid to Africa is only one dollar per head. Makes you think!
Journalist allegedly attacked in Namibia
NEW YORK - The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Namibian authorities to thoroughly investigate an alleged attack by four assailants against freelance journalist John Grobler on January 8.
Grobler told CPJ that four men attacked him at a bar in Windhoek, cutting his face with a broken glass and kicking him repeatedly in the head. Grobler was taken to MediCity Emergency Clinic, where he was treated and released.
Grobler was able to identify three out of four of his assailants as prominent businessmen with close ties to the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), he said. Desmond Amunyela, David Imbili, Kiplat Kamanya and one unidentified man accused Grobler of writing derogatorily about SWAPO and Amunyela before attacking him, according to the police report. Imbili is the son-in-law of former President Sam Nujoma. The freelance reporter has filed a complaint against the four men.
Three tourist camps raided
Three camps popular with tourists have been raided by thieves this week.
At one camp, robbers slashed four tents and at another a tent was also vandalised. In the third robbery, two vehicles were robbed. Valuables such as cameras and laptops were stolen.
Police are investigating.
‘Morwalela’ TV series commences shooting in Botswana
‘Morwalela’, a new TV series is being shot on location in Mochudi and Gabane. The production, developed by PSI Botswana and produced by Traffic Productions, has been commissioned for a two-month run on BTV from April. Focused on the everyday trials and thrills of life in a small village in Botswana, the series showcases the beauty of Botswana and the strength of its people. Moments of romance, family love and laughter are interchanged with the harder times of losing loved ones, financial difficulties and HIV/AIDS. The characters face the same difficult decisions as many in Botswana and show how the choices impact on their lives and the lives of those they love. The series was written by local writers Wame Molefhe and Lauri Kubuitsile and the screenplay was devised by the series director, Peter Goldsmid. Over 500 local actors submitted applications and 150 auditions were held before the final cast of 13 Batswana actors and one South African were selected. An acting workshop has been held in Gaborone to bring the cast together and help develop characters and television acting skills. In addition, a further cast of day players and extras will bring the village of Morwalela to life. Local musicians will bring additional vitality to the series with traditional and modern music from Botswana. The production crew is both local and South African film professionals in camera, wardrobe, set, hair, makeup and locations. Many businesses in Gaborone, Mochudi and Gabane are also being supported by security, accommodation and catering.
Livestock courts to be established
The government has decided to establish special magistrate courts in Francistown, Mochudi and Molepolole to deal solely with livestock theft cases. Addressing a kgotla meeting at Patwe near Paje last week, the MP for Serowe North East, Dikgakgamatso Seretse noted that the three places have high numbers of livestock theft cases, but added that the courts will also operate on a rotational basis and sit at other places when the need arises. Seretse, who is also the Minister of Defence, Security and Justice, said the courts are aimed at speeding up livestock theft cases. He explained that the courts are not yet operational because they are still in the process of training personnel on livestock theft cases, and that the courts will engage people who know a lot about livestock as interpreters to help solve the cases.
Zebra poachers get three years each
Two Xurube settlement men have each been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 3 years, for hunting without a licence.
Keagetswe Nkadimang (32) and Tando Orate (28) were both charged on January 12 for hunting zebras and using snares.
Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma said most of the facts are “common cause.”
He said it was common cause that the two skinned the two zebras and it was also common cause, and they were also found with the exhibits (a Tswana wooden axe, wire snares, knife with a black handle, skins and burnt hooves) at the scene. They did not have a hunting licence, what is in dispute as to whether the accused killed the animals or found them dead. He reminded the accused that they had to bear it in mind that no one saw them killing the zebras. “The evidence led in court by the witnesses as far as the wire snares are concerned have to be analysed and the defence that the two accused gave before court that they only saw the wire snares at Gumare police was an after-thought,” said Foroma. State witnesses had said the wire snares were found at the scene and Orate pointed out the snares to Wildlife officers and told them it belonged to him. They did not challenge the fact and that showed they agreed with what was said by the witnesses before court.
Foroma also said that the 8 burned hooves found at the scene would show that accused persons wanted to destroy the evidence. He found them guilty as charged.
In their defence, Nkadimang who gave evidence under oath said that on September 18, 2008, while he was with his colleague, Orate, looking for their uncle’s lost cattle at around 6 pm in the afternoon, they saw a zebra lying down.
“When we came nearer, we realised it was dead. As we looked around we saw another one about 2metres away. We went back home and to Mokobe’s place and told him that we found dead zebras and invited him to accompany us to help in skinning the animals”, said Nkadimang.
“It was around 8 pm. We then went back home and decided that we will go in the morning to make biltong.
“In the morning, as we both agreed, we passed through Tlale’s yard and also invited him to accompany us so that he can also have a share and have something to eat as we were hungry. While at the place we met Wildlife officers who caught us as we were transporting the meat to a nearer place,” he told the court. Foroma interjected that “the defence statement you have just given is false. It shows that you were hungry, as you said, and went to the bush and placed the wire snares so that you can trap wild animals. “So the fact that you were looking for your uncle’s lost cattle is not true. You wanted to check if the snares had caught something.” Nkaelang Lekgowa, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, also challenged the accused by asking him if he is saying that they found the two zebras dead. He was also asked if he was born in Botswana and told the court he was a Motswana. “I then take it that you know the laws of Botswana concerning wild animals,” said Nkaelang. Nkadimang then asked Lekgowa “what is it that someone must do” when find a dead wild animal. Since it was in the bush he did not report it and he wanted to eat the meat. The second accused, Tando Orate, told the court that as he was looking for his uncle’s lost cattle when he and Nkadimang saw the two dead zebras and went home to tell other friends of the find. The friends were invited to accompany them to help in skinning the animals and took the knife and the axe to the place of scene. “Next morning we both agreed to go back and make biltong. While busy transporting the meat nearer to home we met the Wildlife officer,” Orate said. Orate told the prosecutor that “We reported the case after we were caught,” to which
Lekgowa responded “do you call that reporting?
In mitigation, Nkadimang asked for a lenient sentence saying that he is not married with one child was taking medication as he is sick. Orate also asked for leniency saying that he has one child and did piece jobs.
Fleeing taxi driver takes own life
A 27 year old Matlapana taxi driver committed suicide on Saturday after he first sped away from speeding traffic police, overturned his vehicle, and then ran from the scene of the accident.
According to District Traffic Officer Superintendent Alfred Magudu, the unidentified taxi driver had been stopped and warned about speeding by the police, and then had later passed the police at high speed. He overturned the vehicle close to the Audi Camp. After he disappeared from the accident scene, it is understood he telephoned the police the next day informing them about the accident. The caller did not identify himself but merely reported the accident anonymously, although the police were suspicious of the identity of the person. They then received a report from the man’s relatives of an alleged suicide in the vicinity of the accident. Relatives identified the man as having been involved “in a taxi incident the previous day.” The police located the scene and found the taxi. It was taken to the police station, where its owner identified the vehicle on Monday after hearing from a passer–by of a taxi at Maun police station and that it had been involved in an accident but that the driver had disappeared. Last week, a taxi carrying five people – four passengers and the driver – also overturned on the same road.
‘Mentally challenged’ man appears on rape charge
A ‘mentally challenged’ man from Shashe Maun has appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma on a count of rape. According to information before the court, on January 8, 36-year-old Disho Tiroyamodimo allegedly raped his cousin. Tiroyamodimo pleaded with the magistrate to grant him bail saying he was taking some medication but later changed his mind to say he wanted to be tried immediately and be sent to prison. Prosecutor Universe Kabecha told the court that the investigating officer had indicated that the accused was due for psychiatric assessment on February 3. “It seems he has a mental problem, we therefore humbly pray that he be remanded in custody,” said Kabecha. “The accused is allegedly troubling the complainant and his family members and there is a likelihood that he will continue to trouble them.” Asked by the magistrate if he had mental problems, Tiroyamodimo answered that he had no mental problem but was only having a problem with his neck. Foroma ordered that the accused be sent for psychiatric assessment as it would be in the best interest of justice that the accused is remanded in custody.
NWDC employees help the disadvantaged
Employees of the Supplies division of the North West District Council have donated waters standpipes that they erected for disadvantaged families last week.Tshatsha Motshegare and Taolo Masole, who received the donation on behalf of their grandchildren, were very happy to do so.
Principal Supplies Officer, Gaokalelwe Mpho, said at the ceremony at Boseja kgotla that it is their responsibility as Batswana to put into practice the pillars of Vision 2016. The donation was held under the pillar of a “Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation.”
As the supplies division, they have also managed to donate to destitutes and orphans of Shakawe, Gumare, Seronga, and the Sedie and Botshabelo wards of Maun. Employees donated 50 thebe a day each to help with the project.
‘Rebellion’ as Delta Winds, Sankoyo spurn chances
Delta Winds players were as relieved as their fans when Kesaobakwe Basimane broke the deadlock and scored a 2-1 victory by defeating Sankoyo Bush Bucks at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
But then came the unexpected - Sankoyo and Delta Winds fans were singing and cheering their teams but this soon changed to abuse from the stands.
Maun Sports Complex stewed for a few moments and then the rumble began. An instinctive chant went round the ground as supporters of both sides released their pent-up frustration, louder and angrier than before.
Delta Winds had at last tasted a win and this had been a good weekend for them as they beat both Sankoyo and, the next day, Horizon Stars.
As for Sankoyo, they were currently leading the log and they wanted to maintain their status to keep their hopes high of winning the Nhabe regional league but they scrambled into more crisis as they played to a 1-all draw against BMC on Sunday. The result has left the Sankoyo based outfit relegated from the top spot to 4, with 13 points from 7 matches.
On Saturday, it felt like the crowd was trying to find its voice and demanding to be heard. This is a match report, of course, and should focus on the events on the pitch rather than off it but on Saturday it felt as though the two fan bases were linked.
Supporters from either side started exchanging words until at the final whistle some players intervened. Sankoyo were fighting to defend the spot on top of the log while Delta Winds were up to topple them and the performance did little to appease the sense of frustration in the stands that resulted in the crowd turning on each other.
After going in at the break with the score 1-0, Delta Winds came out for the second half in search of more goals. In doing so, they opened themselves up at the back, leading to Sankoyo Bush Bucks having far more chances and managing to equalise through a penalty. Delta Winds had let go their grip and settled for a draw. Having scored the equaliser, the game turned into a seesaw with both sides trying to find the winner until they introduced speedy winger Victor Dikoro who rose from the bench to score the winner.
Both coaches will complain of frivolous finishing, and seemed incredulous about the number of chances their strikers spurned. The game threatened to get out of hand as a number of players were shown yellow cards for rough tackles. In other Nhabe region matches, Maun Heroes have taken a tortuous route to reach this point as debutants. They are currently on 6th place on the log with 12 points from 8 games.
As underdogs they produced their most swashbuckling infliction on the regional league as they humiliated North West United 5-3 and unluckily lost 1-0 on Sunday to supercharged Moeti United.
Gunners of Khwai seem not to have found their winning formula as the Khwai-based side has struggled since the beginning of the season. In the 6 matches they have played, Khwai have only managed to collect 6 points. They continued to fumble on Saturday as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Horizon Stars and went on to accumulate maximum points as they won 3-2 over North West United on Sunday.
BMC showed no mercy as they beat giants Makgabisanaga 3-1 - Makgabisanaga’s 6th defeat in 7 matches. They managed a point on Sunday when they drew 1 all with Cubs.
Sankoyo and Gunners clash in bush derby match
Sankoyo Bush Bucks and Gunners of Khwai supporters have maintained their vigil for decades, waiting for a sign that transformation truly is at hand.
The two Trust sponsored teams will be meeting a clash dubbed “the derby of the jungle” this weekend.
There are always mixed fortunes, and lots of cheers accompanied by much sorrow each time the two sides clash but this time it seems Sankoyo has the upper hand. They are currently in top form which took them to the top of the league table, albeit for a short time as they are now lying 4th.
Gunners of Khwai are struggling to get back to their winning ways and are languishing second from the bottom - and fans are hoping this derby game might revive their form. It seems Gunners are going through far too much distress to suppose that glory is now imminent for them this season. The team’s performance last season will be remembered by those fans but they still departed with a tremor of hope as their team is still struggling to click.
Gunners in their last weekend matches came back from 2 goals down to march past North West United on Sunday. They had on Saturday fail to break the debutants Horizon Stars who held them to a 0-0 draw.
It is much too soon to tell whether Sankoyo have been transformed but their players are certainly in the midst of an astonishing spell to take the side to greater heights. Gunners of Khwai on the other hand needs to alter the whole nature of this game to find their winning formula. Meanwhile, in the Nhabe region second division league, relegated Maun United will battle it out with former Nhabe region representatives Zungu. The two have played in together in the region’s top league but thus time they are fighting it out for a top spot.
Brothers of Peace will meet CTO while on Sunday, CTO will play against Gaegolelwe before Boseja Chiefs lock horns with Zungu.
In the National first division league, Maun Terrors are not in action.
There is only one game that will be played on Saturday afternoon in Kasane, between Ferry Wanderers and Sua Flamingoes.
Andrew Mudongo suspended by BFA
Nhabe regional football league committee has suspended BFA regional vice chairman Andrew Mudongo from all Botswana Football Association regional and affiliates activities.
A letter from the regional committee states that Mudongo will be suspended from Nhabe Regional 1st division and 2nd division games for a period of 12 months with effect from January 12.
This arises from alleged uncooperative behaviour by failing to submit a report to the committee as requested, which led to the cancellation of the December 19 and 20, 2009, league games, and alleged misconduct for not telling the committee the truth about the reason which led to the cancellation of the league games.
The letter further states that Mudongo undermined the committee by saying that it has no power to request him to submit the report; disrespecting the BFA regional president by requesting he should write to him to request the submission of the report. Mudongo is said to have gone on to tear up the letter in the presence of the member sent to deliver it to him. The BFA has advised Mudongo to appeal to the National Executive Committee if he feels aggrieved by the resolution of the committee.
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17 Jan 2010 06:15
Edition 490 15 - 22 January, 2009
Pilot praised for quick reaction
The wreckage of the Mack Air Cessna Caravan made a forced landing due to engine trouble on Chief’s Island last week.
Quick action by a Maun pilot averted a major disaster in the Okavango delta last Wednesday.
Five people escaped with light injuries after the pilot of a Mack Air plane, Stuart Jordaan, landed his Cessna Caravan on the only floodplain available to him 400 metres from Piajio airstrip on Chief’s Island.
Jordaan, 25, had taken off bound for Maun when he heard a loud bang from the engine. In the few seconds he had to follow emergency procedures, he told his four passengers – two foreign tourists and two Motswana staff members – to tighten their seatbelts as he glided into land on the floodplain.
The nose wheel however stuck in the marshy ground and the plane flipped over.
“It was the quick thinking of the pilot who averted a potential disaster,” said a statement from Mack Air.
It was reported he heard a loud bang and the engine stalled.
Strenuous training the pilots go through and mandatory flight tests carried out every six months by designated examiners, along with route checks carried out by senior training captains within the company, played a major role in the incident.
The company said “he turned to the only escape route, the floodplain, as there were trees all around the site. He touched down successfully but then the nose wheel dug in.
“Jordaan did a fantastic job. This was as a result of strenuous emergency training that our pilots go through every six months. It is ingrained in them on how to deal with such emergencies. He did not have time to think and took action instinctively.” Mack Air said it wanted to thank camp management and staff, the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), the police, helicopter pilot Annie Fine, paramedic Alison Brown, EuropAssist, MRI, and the Botswana Defence Force “for their professional and immediate service”.
SORRY STATE OF NEW HOSPITAL
State-of-the-art Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital is faced with challenges almost two years into its operation.
It has too few staff, two working ambulances, and poor accommodation for doctors. The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC) is investigating large-scale theft from its supplies department.
Hospital superintendent Maxwell Mungisi told Maun West MP, Tawana Moremi during a briefing by government departments last Friday that the hospital has an establishment of 19 doctors, but operates with only eight general practitioners and four specialists.
The specialists are a surgeon, a gynaecologist, a physician and a pediatrician. A cardiologist visits the hospital once a month “and we also receive outreach services from Nyangabgwe Referral hospital in Francistown,” Mungisi said.
The Botswana Press Association (BOPA) says the hospital, officially opened in April last year, has a bed capacity of 270 and the occupancy rate is 42%.
Mungisi said the hospital has five ambulances but three “are not in good condition and are not being used.” The two ambulances do not meet the daily demand for referral of patients to and from Nyangabgwe, and the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone and Mahalapye hospital.
Mungisi added the hospital is faced with the problem of revenue collection from clients on a 24 hours basis because they have very few officers who have been appointed to do the task.
There are only three revenue collectors to collect revenue during weekdays, adding that the hospital was omitted when other hospitals were given revenue collectors. He also said the supplies department is manned by one officer and two assistants.
“There have been a lot of fraudulent procurement irregularities in the department, which impacted heavily on our financial standing and delays in payment of suppliers within the stipulated time frame,” he said. Some suppliers’ invoices are being investigated by the DCEC.
A shortage of staff accommodation has led to some staff being accommodated at the old Maun hospital under unfavourable conditions. Some staff is housed in caravans which were meant for staff on transit and the management has been met with resistance to evacuate those staying permanently in the caravans.
Moremi said it appears that when the hospitals were built, emphasis was mainly on the infrastructure. He said not much attention was given to the management of the hospital and staff welfare.
Chemical truck explodes at bird sanctuary
NATA - The entrance as well as parts of the to the world-famous Nata bird sanctuary near here was destroyed on Wednesday when a truck carrying chemicals blew up on the Nata-Francistown road which passes the sanctuary.
The early morning fire brought hundreds of people to the scene as volunteer fire crews fought the blaze. A fire tender from Sowa Town was also on the scene.
Thick blanket of black smoke could be seen from many kilometers away.
Sarah Mbaeva and Gaolebogwe Moipei report that the 57-year- old Zimbabwean driver of the Gouws Transport vehicle had a narrow escape after his horse and trailer vehicle blew up.
Nata police station commander Israel Tuelo confirmed in an interview that the truck was carrying drums containing chemicals and was on its way to Zambia from Selebi Phikwe.
The driver got out of the cab to investigate when he heard an explosion. Suddenly he heard another explosion and saw smoke coming from the containers. The vehicle then caught fire.
The second explosion sent flames on to the Nata sanctuary reception roof and caused a fire which burnt the reception office complex.
This is the second time in two years that the sanctuary has been hit by a devastating fire. Earlier, a bush fire spread through the sanctuary, destroying the entrance as well as the nearby Nata Lodge, which has now been rebuilt.
Currently, thousands of flamingos are nesting at the sanctuary but it is not known whether any of the birds has been affected by the fire. The sanctuary is one of only seven areas in the world where these birds nest.
More road traffic offences over festive season
Maun traffic police recorded 310 traffic offences, 29 accidents and one fatality during the past festive season as compared to 244 offences, 19 accidents and no fatalities in the same period the previous year.
Police District No 5 traffic officer Superintendent Alfred Magudu told The Ngami Times that they recorded 13 cases of careless driving, for which the motorists were fined between P500 and P1000. A total of 21 drivers were charged for using cellphones while driving and were fined between P100 and P200 while 61motorists were charged for driving without licenses, 39 for failing to wear seat belts and 46 tested for drunken driving. Of the drunken driving, 22 tested positive.
Police also recorded 86 vehicles with defects and charged owners between P100 and P500 and also fined 70 drivers between P100 and P1000 for over speeding.
Two struck by lightning
Two Disaneng men were struck by lightning on December 30, says Maun station commander Robson Maleka.
The two – aged 19 and 29 – were walking in the vicinity of the Sports Bar when rain started. They shielded themselves under a tree which was struck by lightning. The two men were rushed to Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital for treatment from where one – an employee of Maun Counseling Centre - was rushed to Nyangabgwe referral hospital in Francistown where he died two days after admission. The other man was treated for minor injuries and discharged.
Maleka urged people not to stand under trees when it is raining as lightning strikes tall objects such as trees.
Boy dies in Nata of electric shock
NATA – Police in Nata have confirmed the death of an 11 year old boy who died due to electric shock Nata police station commander Superintendent Israel Tuelo confirmed a case in which an eleven year old boy of Boseja, Maun, died on New Year’s Day from an electric shock caused by a generator.
According to Tuelo, Nata police received a report of an incident in which the boy, who was studying at Nata primary school, was electrocuted. The boy was with friends at the time.
He said that as there was electrical leakage from a cable which transmitted electricity from the generator to the house. One of the boy’s friends stepped on it playfully, and then the deceased touched it and died.
Aircraft crashes in Sudan
Maun aviation personnel were sent to the Sudan this week to oversee the recovery of a Sefofane Zambia aircraft that crashed in the south of the country.
The plane, on charter it is understood to the United Nations, crashed as it came into land near Waat in the Tonj district of Waraj state in southern Sudan. The pilot had attempted to avoid a number of goats that crossed the runway as he was coming into land. The plane, a Grand Caravan, lost a nosewheel.
The plane’s engine was replaced as well as other parts, and the plane was flown to Juba, also in southern Sudan, from where it is expected it will be flown back to Zambia.
Zebra poachers taken to court
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
Four men from Xurube settlement near Gumare have appeared before the Maun principal magistrate, Clifford Foroma, for hunting without a licence.
According to the particulars of the offence, Keagetswe Nkadimang (32), Tando Orate (28), Mokobe Pogiso (40) and Tlale Tlale (29) had on September 17 last year, hunted and killed two zebras without a hunting licence and that snares were used. The prosecutor, Lekgowa, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, asked the court for Tlale and Mokibo to be accomplice witnesses for the State. According to Tlale, when asked to tell how well he knew the other two accused, he said he came to know them when riding on his donkey in order to release his goats for grazing at around 8am on the morning of September 17. Nkadimang arrived and asked him to lend him the donkey. He (Tlale) told him he was using the donkey to fetch water for the goats and Nkadimang then told Tlale that he had found “some carcasses in the bush” and that he was welcome to accompany him. The two went together on Tlale’s donkey to the place where the carcasses were said to be. On arrival he saw fresh meat hanging on a tree but did not ask how the animal was killed and which animal it was. Nkadimang then told the three others to move the meat to a closer area and while they were coming back after taking the meat to the place they met wildlife officers. Two of the accused started running and Tlale said he was at the back and did not know why the others were running but at the end he joined them and ran to his yard in Xurube.
The next day officers came to his yard, confronted him and he was taken to the police station with the other three. The state witness in this case was Kebonyemang Rantema, an officer in the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Gumare, who said a reliable source had reported that he saw meat hanging from a tree near Xurube settlement. He said together with other two senior wildlife officers they went to the settlement and when on the way, saw human tracks. These were followed and they came across three men, two riding on a donkey and the other on foot. When they saw them (officers), the men ran away. They followed them and as they looked around the place they met one man who introduced himself as Keagetswe Nkadimang. He told them that he was looking for lost cattle and he did not know those men who were running. One officer remained with Nkadimang as the others continued to follow the three. “We traced them until we reached Xurube settlement but they were nowhere to be found,” the court heard. Nkadimang was questioned and at the end agreed that he knew the men. Nkadimang then took them to the scene where they had killed the zebras and found fresh skinned zebra meat. Eight burned shoes, snares made of wires, 2 zebra skins, and a Tswana wood axe and a knife with a black handle were also found. The following day, together with Nkadimang, they went to Xurube to look for the other three accused and found them.
They all agreed they were with Nkadimang. Orate and Nkadimang agreed that they killed the zebras and had approached Tlale and Mokebo to help them in skinning the animals. Orate admitted the axe, knife and snares belonged to him.
The trial continues.
Shops gutted after fridges ‘blow up’
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
A possible electrical short circuit has left the owners of the Ngamiland General Dealer and Pioneer Book store in Maun in despair as their businesses were gutted in a fire on December 30. Vegesana Samuel Raja Rao, of Ngamiland General Dealer, told The Ngami Times in an interview that the shop’s alarm had indicated an earlier fault by failing to sense the presence of a person when switched on. The security alarm company’s technician was called to investigate. “Four security company technicians found a blue magnet which had fallen and which they quickly fixed. We then locked the door and moved out of the building to test the alarm. When we opened the door, we saw two fridges sparking at the top and they blew up,” added Raja. He said nothing much was recovered except a few items, including a photocopier. Raja said they have given their employees a month holiday while they assessed the situation.
“We are not ready to lose our valued employees as they have worked for us for more than 10 years,” said Raja. The damage to the stores has not been calculated as yet.
Editorial
A flea in the ear for councillors
North West District councillors went off to their festive season holidays with the proverbial flea in their ear as a result of comments made by the Assistant Minister for Local Government, Botlogile Tshireletso.
She said the ethic of hard work within the council, and of its employees, was of a poor standard.
Addressing the last full council meeting of 2009 during December, she pulled no punches, cautioning those in high authority at the Council over the implementation and supervision of projects, many of which she indicated were poorly coordinated.
“I also feel you are to blame because it is evident your directions are very poor. What kind of leadership do you portray if you can’t be accountable yourselves?
“People are reluctant to work and the service delivery is poor because they are not pushed and shown the need to deliver on time . . .,” she said.
It is unfortunate that she is correct in her assessment.
Work on the Maun infrustructure development project for instance has been shoddy to say the least, and that can be put down to poor overseeing of various projects. These include the Disanang tarred road, other roads and parking areas under construction, and the Maun taxi/bus rank which should have been in operation months ago.
The digging of a huge trench across the Maun-Shorobe road and the infilling that was undertaken, including the potholed tarred strip, is indicative of a lack of responsibility by the contractors or overseeing by the responsible department.
Instead of throwing the responsible companies off the job, and re-claiming the large sums of money that have been paid out for the tenders, the construction crews have been given back the jobs!
Has it been so because of agreements reached by Gaborone with the Chinese government?
Whatever the case, the long-suffering taxpayer has to foot the bill.
Here we are again – another year has dawned and Maun is looking like a wet rag – soaked by many millimeters (mm) of rain which has turned this area into a wonderful green landscape, with vegetation rowing in profusion and thereby making am mockery of the fact that we live in the Kalahari Desert.
According to amateur meteorologist Lee Ouzman, by the start of this week we have had so far this month a total of 67.8mm of rain.
Cloud cover has been almost constant since January 1. The television weather maps all show a blanket of cloud over southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, and this could mean more rain and a long and cold winter is one the way.
Those in the northern hemisphere are feeling the effects of the worst winter in living memory. The images shown on TV of snow and sleet throughout Europe and Britain may be breathtaking but it also brings misery to many and surprisingly Europe was not ready for such an event even though people there had been warned since December 18 last year when the first snow began falling that they were up against a massive storm that would repeat itself for more than a month.
Shuffle has relatives in England, for instance, and they report misery on a grand scale. The images sent by e-mail show gardens struggling under the weight of a lot of snow and cars buried deep in the snow.
In one area of south-west England, the harbour at Bristol – from where the explorers of North America and other lands set sail - was almost ice bound for the first time ever.
One only has to look at the low temperatures recorded in Russia, China, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Britain and other countries to see how difficult it has been.
The northern weather conditions have without question influenced conditions in our part of the world, with rain and strong winds, and in some cases, drought conditions being experienced. Stand-by for a possibly chilly time from May to August!
Police officers on duty at the Makalamabedi veterinary cordon fence gate – which seems to be an unofficial passport and customs control point for travelers who have already gone though the rigours of border controls at national borders – are at it again.
Over-officious officers were targeting motorists proceeding to Maun a few days ago by claiming that motorists had not stopped at Stop signs prior to being called forward by police officers.
There have been some arguments with the police over this but of course the luckless motorist always comes off second best as the officers claim vehicles did not stop even though motorists and their passengers swear blind that was not the case. Stern faces peer at drivers, many of who are nervous to become involved with the law.
One would have thought that training at the Otse police college would include how to be friendly to the motoring public and more particularly to tourists. Botswana cannot afford to lose too many tourists what with the World Cup on the way and a massive campaign in Britain, Sweden, Norway and Finland by the Botswana Tourism Board to lure these people to this country.
Maybe the police have decided it is an easy way to get more money from luckless motorists.
Here’s some good advice from banks:
When a thief forces you to take money from an ATM, do not argue or resist as you might not know what he or she will do to you.
Rather what you should do is punch in your pin number in reverse – if your pin is, say, 1254, punch in 4521. The moment you punch in the reverse, the money will come out but will be stuck in the machine halfway out and it will alert the bank and possibly the police without the thief noticing it. Every ATM, Shuffle hears, has this security system. It is specially designed to signify a call for help – but not everyone is aware of this.
A bird’s eye view of developing Maun in 2010. Local pilot John Allott took this picture from 3 000ft and it clearly shows the construction work ongoing at Maun airport, the Thamalakane River and the expanding business and residential districts. The Ngami Times has a series of new aerial photographs of Maun and these will be published at intervals.
Yummy! Ammonia-treated ‘pink slime’ in their hamburgers!
The “New York Times” says Americans are not going to believe what you’ve been eating the last few years when you eat a burger (or the hamburger patties) or buy conventional mince at your supermarket: The newspaper says the “majority of hamburgers” now sold in the United States contains fatty abattoir trimmings - “the industry once relegated this to pet food and cooking oil, typically including most of the material from the outer surfaces of the carcass that contains ‘larger microbiological populations.’” This “nasty pink slime,” as one microbiologist called it, is now wrung in a centrifuge to remove the fat, and then treated with ammonia to “retard spoilage,” and turned into “a mashlike substance frozen into blocks or chips”. The newspaper has pointed the finger at a company called Beef Products which supplies some of the biggest fast food operators in the world. The United States allowed the company and others to list the ammonia as “a processing agent” instead of by name. Government and industry records obtained by “The New York Times” show that, in testing, E. coli and salmonella pathogens have been found. * Botswana companies are not involved in the practice uncovered by “The New York Times.” This report is published in the interests of good health and food safety.
‘Fires family’ given help
The Botswana Red Cross has donated food to the Ndone family in Botshabelo ward which had recently reported to have been affected by mysterious fires that broke out in five houses in the family compound.
The 29 members of the extended family spent endless nights in tents as a result of the fires. Pastor Joseph Jacob said the Eloyi Christian Church was concerned by the situation and promised help. “This is the right time that you have to start praying and ask for help from God,” he said. When receiving the donations, family member Sanjira Ndone said he went to prophets and traditional doctors believed to be capable of stopping mysterious fires, but none of them managed to do so.
Debswana considers major reduction in staff
Reports in a Gaborone newspaper this week suggest that Debswana - the country’s major diamond mining group – is to cut 1 278 jobs in the wake of the international credit crunch.
An operational review is taking place, according to a report in The Botswana Gazette” and once completed, the project will be implemented in stages throughout the year.
Labour Act Section 25 letters warning of the possibility of job losses has apparently been issued to workers. The Act stipulates that when an employee plans to lay off staff, they must be notified three months in advance. Management of the company is apparently consulting with the Botswana Mining Workers’ Union but no agreement has yet been reached.
Debswana is jointly run by the De Beers company and the Botswana government. In the event of the retrenchments, it would mean the company would lose about a third of its total workforce of 5257. Debswana had to oversee a major lay-off of hundreds of workers last year when it became evident the demand for diamonds had dropped considerably.
Cellular phone theft to reduce
By Molefi Manyepedza
Cellular phone theft and criminal cases in which cellular phones are used for communication are expected to drop in Botswana after pre-paid sim card users were told by the Botswana Telecommunication Authority (BTA) to register their sim cards with network providers.
According to information revealed by the BTA, the sim card registration process from October 15, 2008, to December 31, 2009, allowed customers to register as long as they had valid identity cards or passports.
By December 31 a total of 2 026142 sim cards were registered, re presenting 85% of the total prepaid subscriber base of 2 394 445. Of registered subscribers, 1 067 978 details were in manual format while 958 164 are captured electronically in an operator’s data base.
Public telecommunications operators Mascom Wireless, Orange Botswana and be Mobile have been given a period of 30 days to capture all manual registration data into electronic format. In an interview this week with Orange Botswana’s marketing intelligence executive, Peo Porogo, she said since prepaid sim card registration started in 2008, a total of 441 872 were registered by December 31. Her company further added 51 586 subscribers data into electronic format making the total numbers of prepaid subscriber base electronically captured to be 463 458. “Capturing of prepaid subscriber base from manual format to electronically format is on-going and we still capture data of our new subscribers after buying new sim-cards,” added Porogo.
She said at first when the public was told by BTA to register prepaid sim-cards they were reluctant to do so, but this changed when they realised that they will be disconnected if they do not comply - “this forced people to come in large numbers in December as they were aware of the closing day,” she said.
Eloyi donates to Red Cross
By Molefi Manyepedza
Eloyi Christian Church does not plan to hinder one of Botswana’s Vision 2016 pillars of being a compassionate and caring nation. Speaking at a recent donation of clothing and food to the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRSC), General Pastor Joseph Jacob said his church took a decision of practicing the Botswana culture norm of self rehance and help the less vulnerable people across the country. He said Eloyi church was inspired by the life of people back in the “old days” when the unemployed people could survive on being given food and clothing.
“This indeed was a good lifestyle because it was not easy for one to suffer in terms of food,” he added. The headman of Sedie ward, Judith Sedumedi, applauded the church’s donation, saying “these are clear examples of love and being compassionate with each other. We are pleased by doing these types of achievements in the society and will be glad if you the church can keep on helping the government.”
Company’s training programme hailed
VUMBURA – The chief executive of the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA), Abel Modungwa, has hailed the Wilderness Training Facility (WTF- a training body within Okavango Wilderness Safaris, - for their generosity which he termed a step in the right direction because they do not only empower their staff, but also strive to bring about change in the lives of their employees.
He said this at the graduation ceremony of six employees who trained for management courses which include hospitality management, professional guides, lodge management and tourism safari.
He said now that they have successfully acquired their in-house training, the graduates are better positioned to compete in national and global markets “because after all that is where they belong,” adding that it is also a bonus for the company because their trainers and assessors are all registered and accredited while learners also have their names automatically placed on their database for purposes of reporting credits as part of life-long credits.
Modungwa added that now that the WTF has been accredited for the Botswana National Vocational Qualifications Framework (BNVQ), OWS clients can be assured of exceptional customer service based on the fact that the BOTA quality assurance mechanism will forever ensure that trainees get training which is comparable to national and international standards. “For you it is also a plus because I am told WTF is affiliated to the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Motel Association for international benchmarking and best practical purposes. So you people should be proud of yourselves for being associated with the best in the world, because to be part of an international body shows you are worth the effort, no wonder the good customer service and good hospitality every visitor receives here,” he added.
He said WTF is now placed at a competitive edge to recoup its training costs from the Vocational Training Fund and from Botswana Revenue Service as income tax training deduction.
Taxi overturns- woman dies
A speeding taxi, whose driver had earlier failed to stop when ordered to do so by traffic police, later overturned in Sexaxa killing a 19-year-old woman passenger last week. The accident was confirmed by District Traffic Officer Alfred Magudu, who said the Toyota Corolla was carrying four passengers – three women and a man – and the driver. The vehicle overturned about 200 metres away from the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) on the Shorobe road. Magudu revealed that the 45-year-old taxi driver, of Sedie ward, Maun, was earlier on that day stopped by the police for over speeding but he did not stop and instead sped off. The police then followed him and he allegedly hid at Bar 2000 in Sedie. The Maun traffic office received a report of the accident which is believed to have been caused as a result of the driver’s failure to negotiate a curve. The driver sustained serious injuries to the back. One of the passengers was an unidentified school teacher who had been waiting with her sister for a bus to go to Shorobe when the taxi stopped for her. The teacher – one of two in the vehicle - said the driver travelled at a high speed and was drinking alcohol, which she complained about.
Another passenger, a 22-year-old woman, sustained serious injuries including a cut on the chin, a fractured right leg and general body pains and was later referred to Mahalapye hospital. A third woman, a teacher at Shorobe Primary School, received back injuries and a broken left arm. She is recovering in Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital. The fourth passenger, a middle-aged man, who was sitting in front sustained minor injuries as well as back and neck pains and still in hospital.
The driver has undergone a blood test.
Passengers injured as bus overturns
By Sarah Mbaeva
A total of 42 passengers were injured on Monday when a JNG Bus from Maun to Gaborone overturned near Mopipi.
The bus was carrying 50 passengers and had left Maun at 5.30am.
According to Letlhakane district traffic police officer Daniel Faesone, it is suspected that the 51-year-old driver of the bus lost control and the bus overturned about 5km west of Mopipi.
Of those injured, 15 sustained serious injuries. Twelve were admitted to Orapa hospital, 2 in Letlhakane hospital and one critically injured passenger taken to Nyangabgwe referral hospital in Francistown. Sixteen others were treated and discharged from hospitals while others escaped injury.
Faesone said they are waiting for a report from a mechanic to clarify the condition of the road, adding that it was not raining at the time and the road was not slippery.
Flattered by service delivery at Vumbura
Staff reporter Basadi Morokotso recently visited Vumbura Camp, a Wilderness Safaris Premium camp, where she was amazed by the customer service that one gets in the Okavango Delta.
What I witnessed during my recent visit to Vumbura camp in the Okavango delta was more than enough to write home about. The dignified hospitality we received at the hands of members of staff was a first on its own, coupled with the peace and tranquility which I was made to understand was the order of the day.
We arrived on a Friday morning aboard a Sefofane aircraft for a graduation ceremony that was to take place there. At first I had thought to myself that the day’s proceedings were going to be a bore, looking at the small number of invited guests, but that turned out to be far from the truth. Everything went exceptionally well right from the airstrip to the camp, with the journey being made even merrier by the many stops which allowed us to view the beautiful flora and fauna of our country. For the first time in my life I was able to see lions up close. I never thought for a moment that they could be so obedient and not pose a threat when in direct contact with human beings, but that is exactly what happened. They just stood still while we stared and continuously took pictures up to when we drove off. Upon arrival at the camp, I was mostly impressed and humbled by both the discipline and customer service that was applied, and to top it all, everyone seemed to know and fully understand the need and importance of serving one another with love, thus creating a cool atmosphere that was visibly enjoyed by all.
The whole experience compelled me to ask one question after the other, leading to a chat with a friend, who is also an employee at OWS, Caiphus Mbonisi. He assured me that the same discipline that I witnessed at Vumbura was instilled on all their members of staff at their many camps. I wanted to know the charm that they use as management to come out with such well behaved staff always willing to assist, respect and love one another. I also said to him that if OWS managed to source out such productive people, then I would not see it a problem if the same people were to be turned into Christians because to me they looked just like people who had repented from sin! Mbonisi said their staff equally benefited from the training they receive at OWS because even when they choose to resign to seek for greener pastures elsewhere, they always find themselves marketable because the industry knows the quality training that they offer, resulting in companies yearning to recruit them right away. So in my point of view, I have a stern belief now that if other companies in the same field could follow suit, indeed Botswana will be ranked among the best the world over when it comes to customer service.
Lorato House of Love given licence
The Love Botswana Outreach Mission Trust has received a provisional license to open the Lorato House of Love, a rescue centre for children in need of care. Lorato will partner with department of Social Services, the police, Women Against Rape and other organisations to provide emergency care to infants up to five years of age and disabled orphans in crisis.
Construction has begun on a 1 115 sq. meter facility at the Love Botswana Outreach Mission campus in Maun that will house 50 children. A private five-bedroom house will provide care for 15 children until construction is to be completed this year.
This is a project which the community is encouraged to be involved with in reporting cases of abuse and abandonment to the relevant authorities.
More information can be obtained by calling 686-4888.
One of the leading hardware stores in the country Seftim Hardware Stores recently held a competition of P5 000 worth of building materials to its customers. One lucky winner Malebogo Dikhutso of Maun walked away with the P5000 hardware voucher sponsored by Dulux Paints. The draw was conducted in Maun on the 11th January 2010, while in other Stores around the country the competition was also conducted. Seftim Maun Branch Manager Sajan Vijayan is seen here handing over the voucher to Ms Malebogo Dikhutso, looking on is Seftim Assistant Manager Phillip Dikhole.
Maun Terrors likely to lose key players
Nhabe region National first division side Maun Terrors is likely to lose some key players to the Premier League teams.
This was confirmed by the team’s caretaker coach Gadimaang Tiiso in an interview with TimesSport. Selebi Phikwe based Premier League outfit Nico United, who have on their books former Terrors defender Collen Sebako, is said to have invited striker Shakes Pelontle Dimbo and defender Omponye Kebaetse to train with them. Terrors are also likely to lose their former captain Ronald Sebako who has moved to Gaborone, and there are still other players that are linked with possible moves before the transfer deadline. “We have players who have been invited for trials by a number of Premier League teams, and we have also released other players on request to the teams of their choice,” said Tiiso.
The 2009-10 National first division league campaign has not been kind to the Maun based outfit.
Terrors’ fortunes have taken a sharp turn for the worse - they lost away to B R Highlanders before the festive break and they are 8th on the log. For the second time they are not on the list of possible champions. Granted, the sudden departure of Coach Jabulani Ncube was a blow any team would find hard to handle. The man currently in charge, Gadimaang Tiiso, is candid in his admission that the club has an uphill task. It is struggling with injuries that have hampered the consistence of the squad. “We have a tough game ahead of us and it is really a must win encounter that will help us to be stable on the log. We need to fight with what we have and it is clear we need to beef up our squad with good and experienced players,” added Tiiso. After having played 9 games for 12 points, the team is desperate to secure their survival. They started of well in the beginning, but lost form as the league progressed “The hardest thing we are facing in our region is the absence of committed and disciplined players. Players play football basically as a hobby and then get into the first league without any high-level experience. The players have no knowledge of what it means to be a professional, but they have the talent,” he said.
Tiiso hopes the tide will turn in Terrors favour when they restart the games over the weekend. They are playing against Palapye United in Palapye on Saturday. In other National first division matches, Ferry Wanderers will host Miscellaneous, BR Highlanders welcome Tasc in Mahalapye and Orapa Wanderers host Mahalapye Hotspurs in Orapa.
Nhabe region faces fixture dilemma
The Nhabe regional league is facing a dilemma - when to play postponed league matches as the match schedule is full until the end of the season. With teams currently playing two matches per week in order to finish the season early ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the league is now facing a problem because there are no dates available to fit these matches. Fixtures between Maun Tigers v Maun BMC, Horizon Stars v North West United and Fuji Rollers v Gunners of Khwai were postponed due to various reason, but will be played midweek of Wednesdays, starting next week. All the teams will be playing two matches between now until the end of the season.Meanwhile, the league kicked off last week, and the battle continues for the league title. In games played on Saturday, Maun Tigers brushed aside Maun Heroes 2-0 deficit, while former giants Makgabisanaga succumbed 4-0 against debutants Horizon Stars. Sankoyo Bush Bucks are flying high and kept up their brilliant performance when they beat Cubs 3-0. Delta Winds were held to a 1-1 draw by Gunners of Khwai, Moeti United humiliated North West United 2-1 and BMC played to a 2-2l draw with Fuji Rollers. On Sunday, Maun Tigers collected maximum points as they overcame Gunners of Khwai 2-1, Cubs failed to get any points as they lost 2-0 to North West United.
Tafic find themselves outclassed
As the Be Mobile league resumed, Notwane descended on Francistown with the intention to continue where they left off before the Christmas break.
Toronto, as Notwane are known, had scored their first victory against Jwaneng Comets with a slim 1-0 win. This time they made their intentions clear as former Motlakase Power Dynamos striker, Elijah Kabwe scored in the opening minutes of the game. Notwane captain, Keoagetse ‘Barnes’ Radipotsane then followed that up with a goal of his own. The exciting prodigy, Kenamile Mani, then added the third before Tebogo Sembowa scored the fourth in a furious first half to increase Tafic’s woes. In other games Uniao Flamengo Santos made heavy weather of their 3-2 win against Ecco City Greens. Santos raced into a 2-0 lead through Bokamoso Digwere and Bakang Moeng. However, they failed to hold onto the lead and allowed Ecco to come back into the game through goals by first Patrick Lenyeletse and Robert Tamba. Bushy Moletsane, the Lesotho international, saved Santos the blushes with a late winner and ensured the points headed to Phase 2. League pacesetters Township Rollers trounced Motlakase Power Dynamos and in the process hit the minnows with a reality check of the enormity of the task of surviving the chop. Dynamos who had new recruits Tony Selala from Ecco City Greens, Barulaganye Bolofete from Jwaneng Comets, Tapela Ngwenya from BMC and Tlhalefang Molefe from Tafic could not stem the tide and had no answers for the on-form Terence Mandaza. Mandaza scored a brace to end the match as a contest in the first half. The Lobatse derby did not produce any goals as the wobbly Extension Gunners’ challenge received another setback. In the process, Mapantsula surrendered the second spot to Mochudi Centre Chiefs who had no problems disposing of Boteti Young Fighters 3-0 at the Itekeng Stadium. A Sekhana Koko brace and a Kekaetswe Moloi goal snuffed out the challenge from the diamond mining town. BDF XI disposed of Nico United 2-1 at the Selibe Phikwe Stadium. However, Matebele’s win came at a cost as Samuel Phiri broke Motlhanka Gapelwa’s leg. The battle of the minnows in Jwaneng failed to produce the winner as Jwaneng Comets held Killer Giants to a 1-all draw. Gaborone United suffered a setback when they lost to Police XI by a solitary goal. The defending champions could not find a goal to cancel David Makakaba’s strike and returned from the Molepolole Sports Complex empty-handed to further add fuel to the notion that the former will not defend their title.
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