Tears as Khama gets tough on CKGR

STRYKER MOTLALOSO
Staff Writer | Friday June 13, 2008 00:00

 

Khama, accompanied by a few ministers, made his position known at the Office of the President in discussions with a deputation of the people of the CKGR, among them Roy Sesana, regarding their relocation.

According to information reaching Mmegi, Khama told the delegation of BaSarwa of the CKGR that Government will not provide amenities such as water inside the game reserve and that if they wanted to have such amenities, they would have to move to a place or places outside the game reserve.

'He told us that they will not provide us with amenities inside the reserve because it is a tourism area,' said one of the people who attended the meeting.

In addition, Khama unequivocally told the delegation not to involve 'outsiders' in their efforts to resolve the matter with government but that the two parties should continue to dialogue until the issue is resolved.

But inspite of President Khama's express commitment to more dialogue, the First People of the Kalahari (FPK) delegation left the meeting dispirited and in tears because it was clear government is not about to change its position that the BaSarwa must move from the CKGR regardless of a High Court ruling asserting their right to stay in the reserve.
'Re kgobegile marapo, ebile re a lela (We are dejected and have been reduced to tears),' said another resident.

Prominent among international organisations that have supported the BaSarwa of the CKGR in this matter is Survival International. Though the residents do not agree with government's position on their relationship with outside sponsors, they feel that government could find a lasting solution to their problem. They said that the meeting is a step in the right direction.

One of the people who attended the meeting, Kuela Kiema confirmed the meeting but said he was unable to discuss its details because he was merely asked by Sesana to record the proceedings of the meeting with Khama for him. However, even Sesana could not be drawn to comment on the meeting.

At the time of going to press, Private Secretary to the President, Samuel Rathedi, could not respond to Mmegi inquiries as he was locked in a meeting on the same matter.

But the Coordinator of Government Communication and Information System Dr Jeff Ramsay and the Head of Public Relations and Research Clifford Maribe said they were not aware of the CKGR meeting.

Ramsay said Maribe was the contact person on the issue, but Maribe referred Mmegi to Rathedi.

Attorney Duma Boko, who represented the people of the CKGR in court, also said he was not aware of the meeting except that a number of his clients had always indicated a desire to have one-on-one discussions with President Khama after which they would seek further legal advice.

Boko added that if it indeed took place, the meeting could possibly be a step forward because he was himself preparing for a meeting with the President. 'My immediate task is to ask government to allow the CKGR residents the right to use the Mothomelo borehole as per the High Court decision,' he said.