23 Mar 2025

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi says he is aware of the presence of wildlife in Patayamatebele and surrounding areas and the associated damage to property.

Responding to a question in Parliament recently, he said currently, there were no reported cases of damage to property specifically in Patayamatebele since January 2025. He said his ministry through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks has established an operational base in Matsiloje. Mr Mmolotsi said the operational base was to bring services closer to communities, thereby shortening the response time to reported cases of human-wildlife conflict.

“Some of the initiatives in the area include; construction of water spikes around water reservoirs near Matopi and Lephaneng lands in 2022,” he said.

In addition, he said there has been construction of electric fences around ploughing fields in Matopi and Matsiloje in 2021 and 2022 respectively. This according to Mr Mmolotsi, were constructed with the active participation of the local communities and to date have been very effective in reducing the conflict.

“Furthermore, wildlife officers continue to respond to reports of damage of property and where monetary compensation for property damaged was due, it has been paid,” said Mr Mmolotsi.

In addition to attending to the reports, Mr Mmolotsi said farmers are often convened at the farms and advised on the mitigation measures to elephant damage to property.

Tati East MP, Mr Tlhabologo Furniture had asked the minister if he was aware of wildlife roaming the Patayamatebele area and the dangers it posed to residents and farmers.
This also included measures in place to solve the human-wildlife conflict in this area. ENDS