http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?...1/September/Monday26



No compensation for maun farmers

Boniface Keakabetse
Correspondent

MAUN: Farmers whose livestock was killed by crocodiles that escaped from the Okavango Swamps Crocodile Farm three weeks ago have been waiting in hope that they would be compensated for their loss.


Now they are devastated. This is because neither the government nor the owner of the crocodiles is willing to compensate them, they say.

"Officers from the Department of Wildlife came here and told us that the owner of the crocodiles has somersaulted on his promise to compensate us," Bosiame David, who says she lost 32 goats to the giant reptiles, told The Monitor
"They say that the farmer says we should seek compensation from the Department of Roads because he holds it responsible for the flooding," she said. Another woman goat farmer, Keseme Taolo was visibly distressed by the news.

"Those people came here last week and told us that we would be receiving our compensation. We made it clear that they should buy us goats to replace those we lost. We don't want money, now they are telling us a different story," she complained.

The councillor for the area Vepaune Moreti said that he was not aware the crocodile owner has reneged on his promise.

He promised to investigate.

Meanwhile unconfirmed reports say that wild rangers have stopped shooting escaped crocodiles as they fear that the ammunition could contaminate the river water and kill other water animals. The rangers are now using slaughtered crocodile heads as bait to for those that are still alive. About 20 crocodiles are reported to have so far been shot dead.

While Wildlife Officials said about 100 crocodiles have escaped, it is becoming apparent that more swam into the river.
Efforts to contact the farm owner were futile as his mobile phone rang unanswered. He is reportedly out of the country. Wildlife officials could also not be reached for comment