22 Feb 2002
Government rejects criticism of Khoisan removals
The government of Botswana has insisted that relocating a nomadic
population from the large Central Kalahari Game Reserve is essential in order
for them to have access to state services such as healthcare. The relocation of
the Basarwa, a tribe of Khoisan nomads that had lived within the reserve for
years, has come under fire from human rights NGOs, both locally and
internationally.
However, Clifford Maribe, information officer with the Botswana ministry
of foreign affairs told IRIN that the relocation of the population did not
amount to forced removal, even though essential services to the community in
the reserve had been cut. While reports had said some 560 Basarwa were still in
the reserve, Maribe said his information was that there were "less than 30" now
remaining. "For those who are willing to relocate there is first of all a
registration process and then their property is assessed. After that they are
given compensation and when they get to the places they are moving to they are
allocated a piece of land with certificate of land ownership," Maribe said.
The tribes people are assisted in settling their new land and are
provided with food and some temporary shelter. Maribe said: "NGO's are also
assisting them in income generating activities and mentoring them, they are
also given cattle and goats. "The park is a wildlife reserve and there are some
services such as clinics and water that cannot be provided to them in the
reserve. No permanent structures can be developed in the reserve and the tribe
is scattered. Whereas outside, for example, a borehole has been drilled in new
area they will be relocated to. They can now join the mainstream of society and
enjoy the benefits of the services government is providing."
Contributing to the budget speech in Parliament, the leader of
Opposition and Gaborone South MP Kenneth Koma has also defended government on
the relocation of Basarwa from the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR). He
said he did not understand the criticisms levelled at Botswana government when
it is merely trying to develop Basarwa at an appropriate location and time.
However, the Botswana Centre for Human Rights, Ditshwanelo, has
condemned the move. "The termination of services [in the reserve] by the
government effectively forces people out of the reserve, as they will have no
access to basic resources," the group said in a recent press release. "The
relocation of the residents ... is unnecessary and it is in breach of the
constitution and human rights of the residents." According to Ditshwanelo, the
reserve was created in 1961 "specifically" for the Basarwa to practice their
hunter-gatherer way of life. Recently the Botswana department of wildlife and
national parks said that it would no longer issue hunting permits to the
Basarwa for use within the reserve. (IRIN, DAILY NEWS ONLINE)
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