FMD fence to be completed August end
07 June, 2005

FRANCISTOWN The erection of a cordon fence along the Botswana/Zimbabwe border is expected to be completed by the end of August.

This was announced by Francistowns head of Animal Health and Production Lethogile Modise during a guided tour of the cordon fence by the Minister of Agriculture, Johnnie Swartz, Assistant Minister of Works and Transport, Frank Ramsden and government officials.

The fence, which is 2.5m high and stretches from the Tuli circle in Bobirwa to Zibanani settlement near Maitengwe village in the Tutume sub-district, is meant to control animal movement, thus guarding against possible transmission of diseases such as foot and mouth.

Dr Modise said that in the physical construction of the fence, 400km of the expected 500km have already been covered while the electrification part of the project has covered only 160km.

Only 100km of the construction of the fence is remaining and we are hopeful that by the end of August it will be completed, he said.

Even though the slow electrification of the fence seems to be a major setback, it was also revealed that theft and vandalism have contributed to the delay.

The perpetrators are said to be pulling out the erected poles and cutting the fence to facilitate easy access by both Batswana and Zimbabwean criminals.

On the cases of vandalism to the fence, Modise said the security forces are helpful in patrolling the fence, adding that various committees have also been set up to help with patrols.

There are also foot patrols along the border but the distance between pickets might give room for illegal crossings into the two countries as well as cases of vandalism, Modise said.

Minister Swartz said that the objective of their tour was to check on the progress, adding that they had noticed that the electrification of the fence was taking long.

We will have to sit down and find out how the electrification can be speeded up, Swartz said.

For his part, assistant minister Ramsden said that it was still disappointing to find that there were certain people who are of the view that the fence is meant to control movement of human beings, adding that in the long run both countries will benefit from this project.

People from the two countries must cooperate for the fence to be a success because in the end the fence will work for the good of both countries.

He, however, cautioned against vandalism, as it would eat deeper into government coffers as more funds would have to be found to buy other materials as well as maintenance costs.

The project is a joint venture between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Building and Electrical Services (DEBS) of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Ministry of Agriculture is involved in the physical construction of the fence while DBES has sub-contracted a private company to electrify the fence. BOPA

Sounds like lots of new wire for snaring.

so now the poachers can snare it and fry it up at the same time

I understand that there has been a pretty large elephant migration from Bots to Zim in that area or just north of there. I wonder what the eles will think of the fence.

465H&H

If elephant are anything like buffalo they will not be deterred unless the fence carries enough juice to broil and fry steaks and roasts. And think of the endless possibilities for snaring and other illegal activities!

I've seen the fence between the Nothern Prov of SA and Zim, pretty serious fence...........not sure about this one.

If they are using High Tensile Wire it won't be worth a diddlers damn for snares unless they have crimps and crimping tools. Its too brittle for bending like softer wires.