Gov't To Erect Electric Fence At Matopi
Lebogang Mosikare | Monday November 26, 2018 15:10
The President revealed the plan during centenary celebrations of Matsiloje village on Saturday.
The elephants have been a bane of farmers in Matopi, Matsiloje and other villages in the northeast district and many around the country.
When giving a keynote address at the celebrations, Masisi said he was aware of the problems posed by elephants in Matsiloje and surrounding areas.
“I acknowledge that the elephants have over the years been giving farmers various problems that invariably affect their livelihood. It is government’s intention to manage human-wildlife conflict.
Government will continue to negotiate with the public about how to solve this problem,” said Masisi.
The President revealed that the government has a national elephant plan to address the issue of human-wildlife conflict.
“I know that the building of Dikgatlhong Dam, which is in your vicinity has also compounded your problems because elephants go there to drink water. Some of you lose a lot after the ploughing season because the elephants will eat their crops and in some cases destroy property at the fields,” said a worried Masisi.
“The elephants also destroy the border fence making it easy for cattle that is infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) from Zimbabwe to cross the border to Botswana and in the process infecting our cattle in Botswana.”
“As a result of that, the government will electrify the fence at Matopi to control the movement of elephants.
The government will also look at the possibility of electrifying the fence at Matsiloje in order to control the movement of elephants and minimise their chances of destroying people’s property. Nonetheless, I praise you for being resilient over the years despite what befell you,” he added.
Tati East Member of Parliament, Samson Guma praised the President for coming up with a solution to untangle the issue of elephants and human beings conflict.
Guma, who has been vocal about the destruction caused by elephants and how they affect people in Parliament, was happy about the solution that Masisi came up with.
He reiterated that over the years, the elephants have been giving farmers sleepless nights.