Lions terrorise Kacgae residents
15 December, 2008

GHANZI - Wildlife officers have been requested to always address farmers' complaints on time.

The request was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christiaan De Graaff during a kgotla meeting in Kacgae recently after residents had complained that wildlife officials take long to attend to their complaints.

During the meeting, whose aim was to update residents on the progress regarding Food and Mouth, most residents complained of lions which threaten their lives and those of their livestock.

In his welcoming remarks, Headman for Kacgae Mr Daosa Manka said lions are in the periphery of their settlement especially at their RADs ploughing fields which makes it difficult for them to access the fields.

Mr. De Graaff said it is worrying that every time he addresses a meeting in Kacgae, farmers complain that they are not getting support from wildlife officials.

One of the residents, Mr Morgan Ditlhobolo, whose donkey was injured by a lion, urged government to increase compensation because donkeys are an important mode of transport in their area.

In a previous kgotla meeting, residents complained of the lions roaming their ploughing fields. The lions are said to be from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

The area councilor Ms Virginia Molehele said recently a man escaped death and was hospitalised after he was injured by a lion while looking for his livestock. She said though the wildlife officers were trying to assist, they were slow in delivering.

In response, Lonetree wildlife officer Mr Mbututu Mbututu called on farmers to look after their animals to make them less vulnerable to predators.

He said if an animal was injured by a predator, they liaise with veterinary officials to certify whether the animal has a good chance of survival and if not the owner is asked to kill the animal before receiving compensation.

Mr Mbututu told the meeting that compensation will increase by 30 percent of the market value effective from April 2009. BOPA