01 Apr 2025

Parakarungu and Satau residents have lauded government for opening Sedudu-Ngoma gates transit route for 24 hours effective April 1. 

Addressing a joint kgotla meeting for the two villages in Parakarungu yesterday, Minister of Environment and Tourism Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said government made a decision to open the two gates serving as access to Chobe Enclave from Kasane traversing through Chobe National Park.

He said the closure of the gates had resulted with people from either side of Chobe National Park being restricted to day travel.  Mr Mmolotsi therefore said the 24 hours of operation would cultivate economic growth in many sectors in Chobe. 

However, he warned users of the B334 road across the park to maintain vigilance and exercise safety at all times since wild animals in the park were not used to movement of people at night. 

The minister said Chobe was endowed with rich natural resources, which had been sustained by the people of Chobe as custodians of resources hence noted that government had confidence the people would continue to sustainably manage and coexist with Botswana’s flora and fauna.

He said human wildlife conflict was a crisis in Chobe adding that 286 cases of human wildlife conflict were reported countrywide in 2024 of which 165 were compensated at a total above P2 million. 

He also said the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act would be amended to include animal species that caused destructions yet did not qualify for cause of compensation under the current legislation.

Parakarungu residents, Mr Edward Tumedi and Mr Johnson Mabuta expressed joy over the extension of Sedudu Ngoma gates operation to 24 hours noting that such had been Chobe residents’ outcry for years since the sixties for them to be allowed to use this transit route at all times. 

The elderly duo thanked government for heeding Batswana’s requests adding that April 1 would be inscribed in history books as the day the people of Chobe were answered.

Another Parakarungu resident, Ms Marriam Chika implored B334 road users to drive responsibly within the park, adding that it would be a disappointment for people to infringe upon the law and cause accidents that may lead to road carnage.

MP for Chobe, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga thanked government for opening the route for 24 hours. 

He called residents to keep the park clean when they used the road, follow park regulations at all times and desist from getting out of vehicles inside the park.

“Don’t litter our park as you travel at night because our park has been clean and some people may be tempted to break the law at night by speeding or littering.” 

He said opening of the transit gates would cultivate economic growth in transport, retail, hospitality and property sectors.  ENDS