Serowe district consults tribe over elephants
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday October 2, 2026 11:05
The issue has attracted renewed attention following a letter dated September 29, 2026, from Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi to Kgosi Ian Khama of the Bangwato Tribal Administration in Serowe.
In the letter, Mmolotsi confirmed that the elephants would be given to the Serowe District through the issuance of a ministerial licence. The minister said the government had decided to issue the animals to citizens as part of the country's 60th independence celebrations and in line with its policy of sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources for the benefit of Batswana.
However, the allocation has since prompted discussions within Serowe over how the community should benefit from the elephants. Speaking in an interview with Mmegi on Thursday, Thaga said they are is still consulting the tribe and that no final decision had been reached.
“We are still consulting the tribe on the matter because people have different views on how they could benefit the tribe,” he said. According to Thaga, some community members have proposed that the elephants be sold, and the proceeds channelled towards development initiatives in Serowe. Others, however, believe the meat should be distributed amongst the various wards.
“For example, some think that we could sell them so that we use the money to develop Serowe while others believe that the meat could be shared within wards,” he said. Thaga added that the tribe will be called to consult further before a final position is adopted.
He said the consultation was necessary as the community had different views on the most appropriate way of deriving benefits from the animals. Meanwhile, Thaga said the permit associated with the elephants had not yet expired and would remain valid until October 31.
“The permit has not expired since it elapses on October 31,” he said. Thaga further noted that there was cost associated with hunting the two elephants, adding another dimension to the ongoing discussions over how the animals should be utilised. “Again, there is money associated with hunting those two elephants,” Thaga said, adding the District Commissioner was handling the matter as consultations continued.
The issue comes against the backdrop of the country's 60th independence celebrations, for which communities and individuals in Serowe have also been making contributions. Thaga said that, as part of preparations for the celebrations, Kgosi Ian Khama had donated cattle, while other residents had also pledged contributions towards the festivities.
The elephant allocation, however, has come under scrutiny following the Ministry's communication confirming the government's position on the animals. In the September 29 letter, Mmolotsi said the elephants in question were “problem animals” roaming areas inhabited by people and causing damage to crops and farm infrastructure, including boreholes and fences.
The minister further said that, in some instances, the elephants caused injuries and deaths. The letter also addressed the authority of Kgosi Khama regarding the government's offer. Mmolotsi stated that the Kgosi did not have the authority to reverse or alter a government decision. The minister nevertheless acknowledged that Khama was at liberty to give further instructions to his tribe.
Mmolotsi said that such instructions could not reverse, alter or otherwise interfere with the government's offer of the elephants to the people of Serowe. “We further wish to confirm that the offer of elephants made by the Ministry remains valid and stands as communicated,” the minister said in the letter. The government's position therefore remains that the offer is valid, while consultations at community level are continuing over how the elephants should ultimately be utilised.
Thaga said the tribe would be engaged further, suggesting that the district council has not yet settled on which option will be pursued. The matter has also raised questions about the practical implementation of the government's decision, particularly regarding how the benefits of the elephants will be distributed within the community. Thaga maintained that the council would continue engaging the tribe before any final decision was made.