Dept of Wildlife accused of racism

Allegations of racism in wildlife and tourism sector are rife. PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Allegations of racism in wildlife and tourism sector are rife. PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

MAUN: Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) chairperson Kenson Kgaga has accused the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) of racism in enforcement of laws to curb wildlife related crimes.

Presenting before the Parliamentary portfolio committee on wildlife, tourism and natural resources on Tuesday, Kgaga said a Motswana guide, Onneile Thapi was allegedly fired from work by his employer after he reported a white manager, Shaun Malan to DWNP for illegally keeping a protected African python at Mochaba camp lodge in the Okavango Delta.

Kgaga told the committee that Thapi was blacklisted by white owned tourism companies in the area. “White owned companies work in unison, they can collude against hiring people deemed dangerous to their interests,” he said.

Editor's Comment
Gov’t must rectify recognition of Khama as Kgosi

While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....

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