Gakelebone vows to enter CKGR without permit

Basarwa activist, Jumanda Gakelebone, has vowed that he will continue entering the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR) without a permit from the Department of Wildlife because it is the only home he has ever known.

Speaking after the Court of Appeal judgment yesterday, in favour of Basarwa, Gakelebone said he was born and raised in the CKGR.  "Where else do they want me to go? I treat the CKGR as my home and I don't see why I should apply for a permit to go home. Do they need permits when they go to Serowe?  No they don't," charged Gakelebone.  "They should show me where to go and I will leave them with their CKGR.  This government wants us to spend our time in courts over petty issues.  Even our children are going to have to go to court for what is legally theirs," he said.Gakelebone said that his arrest last week, by wildlife officers, has denied him, Basarwa and attorney Gordon Bennet the chance to consult with the leader of their struggle Roy Sesana who has been missing in action for a while.  "Even today, I have not been officially charged and I don't know what my offence was.  They said they will call me to lay charges," he said.

He reiterated that Basarwa are struggling to attend court cases because there are no resources to fund transportation, food and even lodging.

Editor's Comment
Closure as pain lingers

March 28 will go down as a day that Batswana will never forget because of the accident that occurred near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo, South Africa. The tragedy affected not only the grieving families but the nation at large. Batswana throughout the process stood behind the grieving families and the governments of Botswana and South Africa need much more than a pat on the back.Last Saturday was a day when family members said their last goodbyes to...

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