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Witness says his report had no raw data
THATO CHWAANE
Staff Writer
2/8/2005 6:55:22 PM (GMT +2)
Expert witness, Arthur Albertson said yesterday that two reports he wrote in 2001 after his scientific research had not included raw data. Under cross-examination by lead state counsel, Sidney Pilane in the Basarwa relocation case at the Lobatse High Court, he said the information was in dozens of notebooks, which he no longer has.
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 He said if another scientist is to evaluate the opinions and conclusions he made in the reports, he or she would not find data on how the conclusions were made. He said he did not have the old note-books and that another scientist would have to carry out new research to see if he or she comes up with comparable results. Albertson said neither was the analysis process specified in the reports. He said his clients, the First People of the Kalahari (FPK) a Basarwa pressure group were happy with the data he had produced for the two reports. Albertson added that the Basarwa negotiating team had requested that he produce a report on sustainability issues in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). He said his personal observation, based on his knowledge and understanding, regarding land use in the CKGR was that hunting and gathering could adequately and sustainably provide basic nutritional needs for its residents. He said he was not required to provide any scientific details as the reports he compiled were used by the negotiating team and human rights group Ditshwanelo to lobby government. The government’s third draft management plan for the CKGR also used the reports. He said his research focused on the CKGR, but extended to the relocation settlements of New Xade and Kaudwane.
Pilane questioned whether the government would accept a report with a general summary of the issues without data or method at face value.
Albertson an ecologist was hired by the FPK to map the CKGR and train Basarwa on mapping, surveying techniques and assessment of natural resources. Initially, he told the court that FPK had given him terms of reference. But later, he conceded that he had developed the terms in conjunction with FPK. He said that he drew up the terms of reference, which were sanctioned by the FPK after making comments. The terms of reference were presented on Albertson’s letterhead. “They were happy with the terms of reference with my letterhead,” Albertson said.
The state and the Basarwa lawyer argued over the Global Position System (GPS) data that he used to come up with a big map of the CKGR. Pilane demanded the GPS saying that it must be tested because it could determine how Albertson developed the map he presented in court.
The witness said he had sent six emails to Dittah Molodi - Pilane’s assistant attached with the relevant GPS data. Pilane said the files could only be opened by a special programme, which they do not have. He said the need for the data had been necessitated by evidence Albertson had given in court. The witness said that the programme needed to open the documents is expensive but the department of wildlife and other consultancy offices in Gaborone would have it. Pilane retorted that government was not willing to waste tax payer’s money by buying expensive programs. “And then what would they do with it afterwards? The expert has an obligation to provide it. We expect you to give the material to us,” Pilane said. The Basarwa lawyer, Gordon Bennett stood up to object and stated that he will resist attempts for Albertson to return to his Johannesburg office to retrieve the information from his laptop because it was costly. He suggested that practical means should be sought to get the information. However, Pilane stood his ground and said that he was not willing to run around just to open a file. He then suggested that Albertson send the email to Duma Boko (the other lawyer for the Basarwa) who would then serve them with the information.
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