Edition  326 August 4 - 11, 2006

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Maun Airport’s post office re-opened with pomp and ceremony last Friday. The full-service post office is the 114^th

 opened nationwide by Botswana Post. It is situated on the first floor of the airport concourse

‘THANK GOD I AM NOT DEAD’

KASANE – ‘It is only by the grace of God that I am not dead,” says a Kasane man who stared death in the face when an armed robber shoved a pump-action shotgun under his chin and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed. The misfire saved the life of Nick van der Westhuizen, who had lived in the town for nine years, when the robber held him up and stole about P12 000. It was the 17th time he had been a robbery victim in Kasane.

Van der Westhuizen said this week: “I cannot believe it myself that I am alive. I saw how inebriated he was. I kept cool and I wasn’t actually frightened. I wasn’t scared of dying. I was just cool . . .” He told his dramatic story to The Ngami Times this week as he packed up and was ready to leave Kasane for Durban, South Africa. “There had been a robbery at a house in Lesoma Valley last week, when a shotgun was stolen,” he said. “I was asleep in my caravan, who is surrounded by a security fence, when I heard someone shouting obscenities at me.  I took no notice but then suddenly there was an almighty bang as the front door lock was blown out.

“The person holding the shotgun then saw his reflection in a mirror opposite the door and blew that to smithereens as well before telling me not to get up out of my bed. He fired a shot at me and I felt the wind as the charge went past my face. I stayed down. He argued with me and put the shotgun under my chin . . .  and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed. He tried to free the jamming and as he did so, he accidentally pulled the trigger again. This time the shot went through the roof, making a hell of a mess of it. Then it jammed again. The man asked me for US dollars but I didn’t have any. He seemed to know I had sold two engines that day and had the money in a bag. He said he wanted the bag and my wallet. I gave him both as you don’t argue with a man with a shotgun.”

Van der Westhuizen said as the man was “stuffing notes into his pockets” he did not notice that his Omang had fallen on to the floor. “As he left the caravan, he pulled over a table, sending what was on it crashing to the floor. I got up and quickly drove to the police station where I reported the incident, saying I wanted to charge him with attempted murder.”

Van der Westhuizen, who had already found the Omang, was frightened of returning to his caravan that night as the robber may have realised he had lost the ID document but when he did so at first light on Tuesday morning, he found the same man walking out with foodstuffs and other goods.

“I immediately went back to the police where I found another Kasane resident, Mike Chase, reporting he had just been robbed.

“The police went to my home and we found spent shotgun rounds as well as one that had not gone off. The police called in trackers but the man had disappeared.” The Kazungula police this week confirmed that they had arrested Oboifeng Phaladi, 22, who had also allegedly confessed to various burglaries.  According to the Kazungula police station commander, Superintendent Frankel Mohutsiwa, the suspect was eventually found at his house after a massive manhunt. Mohutsiwa said P11 000, 500 South African rands and Zimbabwean dollars equivalent to P4000 had been stolen.

The shotgun was also reported stolen, and has since been found. “We are currently investigating and collecting various goods which he allegedly stole, with some goods being in Zimbabwe,” Mohutsiwa said, adding that Phaladi is likely to be charged with armed robbery. Van der Westhuizen intends returning to Kasane to give evidence against Phaladi when the case comes before court. It is believed that Phaladi was shot two years ago after a burglary and spent some time in prison for that crime.

Meanwhile, in Maun there have been at least 12 housebreakings over the past 10 days.

A well-known couple returned to their home in Matlapaneng on Saturday night to find that it had been broken into. A computer and a bag were stolen.  The robbers are believed to have then gone to a nearby house and attempted to gain entrance, but they were disturbed and  fled. The computer apparently stolen from the previous house as well as a bag was recovered in the yard.

It is reported by reliable independent sources that at least 10 more burglaries took place. Police however said that they had no information to provide to the media.

Boys beat off killer croc and hippo attacks fisherman

By Lets Open

A desperate fight with a crocodile trying to drag a 15-year-old boy to certain death ended with a gang of youngsters beating the reptile with knobkerries until it let go of the victim’s leg and slithered back into the Okavango River.

Two boys, aged 13 and 15, were herding their family’s livestock to the river for drinking, as they usually did, when the crocodile grabbed the elder boy’s leg. The crocodile had been in river plants and was not visible to the youngsters. The victim sustained severe leg wounds, scratches and abrasions to his back after he fell to the ground several times during the life-and-death struggle.

Meanwhile, illegally fishing in Namibia almost cost the life of a Mohembo fisherman who was at Kwabeng lagoon.

A hippo chased and injured the man who escaped with his life when his screams brought others to the scene.  He had been laying nets without the permission of the Namibian authorities when the attack took place.

Shakawe police chief Malibala Ndiko said this week that “these fishermen don’t listen to what is legal and what is not legal.”

Cold front sweeps across country

Bitterly cold weather as a result of snow and rain in South Africa swept across Botswana this week. Temperatures fell in many areas of northern Botswana as residents donned jerseys and coats to ward off the chill. Rain also fell over southern Botswana. Snow fell over the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng provinces of South Africa, and over Lesotho and Swaziland. Torrential rain was also recorded in several places. Temperatures are expected to remain low for several days.

No booze, so man urinates in bar and kicks down door

Even before the proposed liquor Act regulations come into effect, some people are already protesting to the extent of damaging property when told that it’s time to close. Keromile Nkgogelang, 23, of Botshabelo, Maun, recently broke a bar door and urinated inside the bar after being told that the bar was closed.

This week Nkgogelang was  brought before the Maun Customary Court for causing damage to property.

According to evidence led in court, Nkgogelang went to Mummy’s Bar to drink, but when closing time was announced he went berserk, urinating in the bar and then kicked down a door valued at P690.90. The police were informed and he was arrested.

Keromile pleaded guilty before the court and asked the court to be lenient as he is taking care of his disabled father, together with minors, adding that his mother had passed away. Kgosi Charles Letsholathebe explained that no one is allowed to destroy property and went on to sentence Nkgogelang to five lashes and also ordered him to pay P690.90 within a month.

Women’s groups worried about rape cases

By Golang Raditsela

The increasing trend of rape cases throughout the country poses a serious threat to women. Speaking in separate interviews with The Ngami Times this week, women’s organisations aired their concerns. The vice-president and acting publicity officer of Emang Basadi, Ntombi Setshwaelo. called on the public to unite with their organisation in the battle against rape. Setshwaelo emphasised that rape is not only a problem to women, but to the general public. She maintained that her organisation has been fighting the battle for a long time, and it was high time the general public joined in. She said there has been a lot of talking but not enough action, and that strategies to combat rape must be implemented.

Mpho Mahopolo, a counsellor at Women against Rape, agreed, saying that rape in Maun was on the increase and particularly among children. She added that in July, Women against Rape had handled five cases, which she said means that every week a woman was raped during that month.  Their statistics however do not cover all cases as some are handled by the police.

Commenting on the causes of rape, Mahopolo said it is difficult to get to the root of the problem since perpetrators normally deny all allegations. She however pointed a finger at alcohol and drug abuse saying these played a big role. “Alcohol and drugs reduce one’s assessment of another person’s intentions, rate of self defence, and also affect the choice of place and methods of socialisation”, she explained, adding that culture also has its part. When asked  what can be of help to this problem, Mahopolo said she believed educating children from an early age could be the solution. She said parents should learn to have open discussions about sexuality with their children so that they have a broad knowledge of how to conduct themselves.

Each will respect their own body and that of the opposite sex and more over, Mahopolo said women are not safe and always vulnerable to being raped as they do not know what will happen wherever they are.  People need to understand there is absolutely nothing one has to do to deserve to be raped, but there are things that can expose them to rape. She urged women to avoid going alone to odd places as it is one way of reducing the risk and increasing the rate of their protection.

Supermarkets pounce on sneaky thieves

Maun’s supermarkets are continuing to be on the alert for petty thieving from their stores. In the latest cases to come before the customary court, Mpopi Senne was found guilty of theft and fined P70 for having stolen from Spar Delta in the Old Mall Ext. It was alleged she had stolen groceries to the value of P65.50.

Giving evidence in court, security guard Machinga Makinda said he found the  goods in the accused’s bag when she tried to sneak out without paying. The goods included two perfumes, a chocolate bar, toothpaste and washing powder. All the products were produced in court as evidence by investigating officer Tshenolo Mophuti. Senne pleaded with court to be lenient with her as she was taking care of her three fatherless children, adding that she was also in poor health.

Asked by Kgosi Oleo Ledimo why she decided to steal knowing the results of it, Senne said she wanted to sell the items to buy mealie meal to feed her “starving children.” The court advised her that there are many ways of making a living besides stealing and ordered her to pay P70 within three weeks or face a jail term not exceeding two months.

In another case, a Zimbabwean man received three lashes for stealing after-shave from Shoprite supermarket. Nivel Chaeva, 28, was brought before the customary court this week. According to Mophuti, Chaeva was arrested after being allegedly found with a stolen Brute after-shave cologne while trying to leave the store undetected. A security guard, Kgomotso Batane, said he stopped Chaeva and found the cologne in the inside pocket of his jacket.

Chaeva admitted the crime and told the court he was ashamed of his actions. He pleaded guilty and told the court that he was the breadwinner back home in Zimbabwe.He was sentenced to three strokes without any fine or imprisonment.

Burglary suspect shot dead

GABORONE – A police and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) patrol this week shot dead a suspected burglar in Block 9, Gaborone. It happened when the suspect, a Zimbabwean, resisted arrest and then assaulted a police officer. Police recovered electrical home appliances from the suspect who had been spotted leaving a house in the company of two others who escaped arrest.

The shooting is the second such incident in Gaborone in the past two weeks. Recently, four armed robbers were killed when they attempted to rob Broadhurst Motors. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of police, Edwin Batshu, has told a police conference in Lesotho that at least 10 people have been shot and seriously injured in robberies in Botswana.

Most firearms seized from criminals indicate that these did not originate from Botswana.

Human remains could be of missing Chobe man

SHAKAWE – Human bones found at the local dump are suspected to be the remains of a Kachikao, Chobe district, man who went missing months ago.

An Omang card was found near the remains and this was in the name of “Musindo”. The Omang may be connected to the remains.

Forensic tests have indicated that the bones were those of a male aged between 20 and 24.

Police investigations are continuing.

EDITORIAL

Time to rethink key policy?

Our country’s tourism representatives in Britain have spelled out our biggest problem loud and clear – they report that the public perception is that Botswana is too expensive a destination for tourism, and from what is being said by today’s tourists in Maun, this is echoed by visitors from other European countries.

Botswana prides itself on having some of the finest game viewing in the world, some of the finest bush camps, some of the most natural game parks that can be found anywhere, and a vibrant tourism industry.

Julie Brenner, who represents Botswana tourism in Britain and Ireland, however had some sobering words for the industry when she spoke at a seminar to introduce the World Travel Market to the local industry. Her straight-from-the-shoulder statements were a refreshing change from the fawning attitudes of others who place great store on how well we are doing when in reality the customer base is saying, in effect, “no ways. It’s too expensive.”

Africa was also perceived to be unsafe and that a lack of direct long haul flights was a deterrent on its own while the national carrier, Air Botswana, is regarded by many as being expensive and unreliable.

Brenner said Botswana needed to be branded in an effort to have increased results and to improve the country’s public relations profile.

This means a rethink on our value as a leading tourism destination is urgently required – not in five years time but right now. Is anyone listening?

MAUN SHUFFLE

For years now, this newspaper has come in for criticism from the tourism sector apparently because we have publicised woeful facilities in our national parks, animal attacks on tourists, and the high cost of tourism in general in Botswana. The facilities have obviously not pleased  tourists who have gone back to their respective countries and unfortunately spread the word among friends and by writing letters to newspapers and magazines about a country that they perceive does not really enjoy having tourists even though our public relations shouts out about the wonderful parks etc that we have.

This newspaper has also been accused of not supporting tourism’s efforts and even of being unpatriotic, whatever that means in a democratic society. Our patriotism cannot be challenged - we recall that about five years ago this newspaper produced a special supplement which was, with the written permission of the Department of Tourism, to be circulated at South Africa’s Indaba tourism exposition in Durban and later at the World Travel Market in London.

It was a stupendous effort by our staff and we were justifiably proud of our achievement and of our town in the development of tourism in Botswana. What happened was that an official in the Department of Tourism overrode that permission and refused to allow thousands of copies to be handed out to participants from numerous countries.

Despite that, we sent the supplement to London, courtesy of a wonderful operator who told Shuffle later “I broke my arms carrying the damned things” and he, fortunately for us, was able to distribute copies at the World Travel Market, much to the chagrin of the self-same tourism official.

Tourism operators who had paid a lot of money for advertising were upset and, believe it or not, some still are to this day – and we have to agree (probably one of the reasons why you don’t see big advertisements from these companies in our newspaper, apart from the classified advertisements for jobs etc).

Now we have Julie Brenner, the woman charged with selling Botswana tourism to Britain and Ireland, stating quite clearly that Botswana is perceived as being over-priced plus other comments which do not do our tourism industry much good, and she says her job is made much harder as a result.

As we say in our editorial on this page, perhaps this will jolt the Ministry and the department into action as Shuffle believes we need to do much better. Is that being patriotic or is it just plain common sense?

It is not only Brenner who is voicing this opinion. Foreigners who have never heard of her have been telling Shuffle the same – the other night, a Dutch couple said they had cut short their stay in Botswana “because it is too expensive” and opted instead to go to Namibia.

Of course, Shuffle – as patriotic as anyone else - wasn’t happy with this but what can one do when someone has made up his or her mind?

**

It has taken that most laudable of institutions, the Maun Counselling Centre (MCC), to wield the big stick on churches that are perceived not to be playing their part in assisting disadvantaged children, orphaned as a result of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and others.

Church representatives at a meeting in Maun the other day listened in silence as they were berated for “dragging their feet” when it came to assistance and for paying lip service to the needs of children. It appears that while churches have always taken a lead in organising marches etc in support of the disadvantaged, they are sorely lacking – with some notable exceptions - when it comes to actually dipping their hands into the collection plates to assist in the upkeep of these children.

They were urged at that meeting to actually act like “Christ’s ambassadors” and to practice what they preach.  That’s pretty harsh but maybe in this tough world, it is fully understandable as churches, too, are battling for survival.

Travel through European countries and you will come across empty churches on Sundays, boarded up churches in towns and villages, and churches that have been closed down and turned into homes. That is all indicative of a seemingly disinterest in religion and more than likely in the dogma preached by particular branches of religion.

Shuffle hopes that Maun churches will find the courage and piety to help the orphaned children, in particular, and show that they really do care through mobilising their congregations to do something tangible.

**

Did you know that there are many more women in the Okavango Delta area – the world’s largest Ramsar wetland - than there are men? It’s a fact, according to statistics published in the use and land management plan for the Ramsar site.

There are 58 215 women as against 52 637 men, and most women are in the age group 20 to 29 or else over 75 years of age. In the latter grouping, women outstrip males 60.7% to 39.3%!

The statistics also confirm Maun’s position as the dominant town in the region, followed interestingly enough by Gumare which has a seventh of Maun’s population of 43 776 (2001 Census). Next largest is Shakawe, followed by Nokaneng and Etsha 6. Maun and Gumare are the only two places which boast tarred roads – Maun has 34km and Gumare, 2km. All the rest are served by either sand, paved or gravel roads.

Another interesting detail is that the Maun-Sehitwa road is the busiest in the area as is Maun airport the busiest in the country.

Councillor needs answers, so does his electorate

By Bright Kholi

SEKONDOMBORO - When people in a certain area are not happy with developments, they usually look to their political leaders for answers and explanations. For Ngarange/Mogotho and Sekondomboro residents, the answers do not come easily from their councillor, Mbathera Ngundura. Just like his electorates, Ngundura has more questions than answers regarding developments in his area, especially at Sekondomboro Primary School.

Despite being in the North West District Council’s education committee, Ngundura still does not know why it takes so long for the local primary school’s kitchen to be roofed after the original roofing was blown away by wind about two years ago.

In his remarks at a full council meeting held on May 23 this year, the NWDC chairman, John Benn said “The roofing of Sekondomboro kitchen, which was blown way by the wind, has resumed with expectations of handing it over by end of June 2006.”

In May 2005, Benn said about the same kitchen, “The Sekondomboro kitchen was complete but the roof has been blown away by the wind. The matter has been referred to the insurance company for compensation. Ngundura told The Ngami Times this week that he has “problems understanding what could be the problem.”

Now, a year and two months later, Ngundura still cries foul as the roofing is still not complete. According to Ngundura, the contractor on site is “slow” and has been surpassed by the date in which the kitchen was supposed to have been handed over – at the end of June this year, as stated by Benn. He said the education committee and the entire council are aware of the problem.

Ngundura says the delay in the completion has resulted in some serious problems as now a classroom is not only being used for lessons but also as a storeroom for food and kitchen equipment. “If we go there now, you will find that children are in the same classroom with food, books, pots and other equipment and the smell emanating from the classroom is a health hazard,” he said.  Ngundura says he has taken all the relevant authorities to view the situation for themselves but is disturbed that nothing has come out of it.

He also regretted that the old toilets at the same school were no longer serviceable and some have fallen in, adding that although construction of new ones was ongoing, it was also too slow. “Children have now resorted to using the bush for their toilet. Teachers have also complained about this sorry state of affairs,” he said. He said it was unfortunate that sub-district and district level supervision left a lot to be desired.

Ngundura has been very vocal in council about this issue, at times getting emotional and being ordered to sit down. Ngundura also complained about the Mohembo-Gudigwa, road which is a very bad state. He said at present only 15 potholes are being filled up, adding that the material being used was sub-standard. Five accidents have occurred along the road with the latest one involving students from Ngambao Junior Secondary School, in Seronga. He said the road should have been considered first for tarring before the proposed bridge at Mohembo.

He also questioned why such a big state-of-the-art police station was built in Seronga while there is no hospital. Ngundura also believes that people’s health comes first.  “You can never make it to Shakawe from Seronga or Gudigwa with a critically ill patient along that road. Patients usually die along the way to Shakawe,” he said.

Meanwhile, some people have questioned the viability of the police station, saying it is bound to become a white elephant as it was under-utilised - “there another big police station at Shakawe. There was no need for another big one at Seronga and the funds should have been used to build a primary hospital for the villages,” he said.

Botswana tourism perceived to be expensive

Julie Brenner at the recent workshop

By Bright Kholi

Botswana tourism is said to be perceived by most international tourists as expensive because of the country’s low volume high quality policy. This has been said by the Botswana tourism representative in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Julie Brenner, at a recent workshop on the World Travel Market (WTM) with tour operators in Maun. The workshop was organised by the Botswana Tourism Board in a bid for local operators to participate in the forthcoming WTM in London in November.

Brenner said in marketing Botswana, her comp any had  “come across some challenges from the customer base in the UK and Ireland.” She said one was that Botswana was perceived to be expensive as compared to other countries, and also that Africa was perceived to be unsafe. A lack of direct long haul flights was a deterrent on its own. She said Air Botswana is seen by many as being expensive and unreliable, adding that this is also compounded by increased competitor marketing.

She said in their endeavour to market Botswana well, they have had to specify in brochures that Botswana was unique and its tourism attraction sites were also unique and still very natural. Brenner said Botswana needs to be branded so to increase the connection abroad, adding that she is hopeful that since the Tourism Board is in the process of branding Botswana tourism, there will be increased results. She also said that there is need to increase the public relations profile.

Police chief commends shoot-out team

GABORONE – The Commissioner of the Botswana Police, Edwin Batshu, has commended members of a joint Botswana Police and Botswana Defence Force team that foiled an armed robbery in the city last week. Four foreign gangsters were shot dead at Broadhurst Motors, while a fifth escaped. Batshu said that while it was regrettable that the shoot out resulted in the deaths, he was pleased the officers emerged unscathed.

He said 10 innocent civilians had been injured in armed robberies in Botswana between January and June this year and that this was an indication that criminals were prepared to kill innocent people. Batshu added the police were prepared “to reward handsomely those who were prepared to pass quality information to the police that could lead to containing violent crime.” He also urged shops to discontinue the sale of toy guns which he said were regularly used in the violence.

Police said the four suspects  were Eric Mpofu, of Durban, South Africa, and Faison Mtambo, of Harare, Evidence Mbaiwa, of Kadoma, and Vodka Jawapu, of Kwekwe, all of Zimbabwe. Mpofu, Mtambo and Mbaiwa were travelling on Malawi passports.

Regional youth forum for Orapa

GABORONE – A regional youth forum to discuss issues and challenges is to take place at Orapa from August 13 to 19.

The Ministry of Education’s curriculum development and Evaluation department’s guidance and counselling division says that the forum will enable 130 participants to share ideas and experience on emerging issues, review intervention strategies, review current HIV/AIDS programmes, empower young people with knowledge and life skills, and acquire skills in communication, interpersonal relations and decision making.

A mini expo is to be staged on August 17.

Ridge to attend conference on broadcasting reforms

By Bright Kholi

The Member of Parliament for Maun West, Ronald Ridge, has been invited to a top international media conference to be held in Maputo later this month. The conference will discuss broadcasting regulators, and a continuation of the audit on broadcasting legislation in Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

A follow-up on resolutions made by the SADC Parliamentary Forum on Broadcasting Reforms in Swaziland in April of this year is also on the agenda. Ridge will address the conference on the role of parliaments in broadcasting reforms and also report back the recent conference on broadcasting reforms. It resolved to act in the public interest and to play a role in expediting broadcasting reforms.

Delegates also resolved that this would give practical meaning to agreed principles that democracy demands public debate, transparent decision making, free exchange of ideas, opinions and information with the media, and to enhance the political will and a sense of urgency in the countries to seriously embark on the process of broadcasting reforms.

Local company wants to run Air Botswana

A Lobatse company is one of the seven companies that have bid to take over Air Botswana when it is privatised.

Lobair, which is part of the Lobtrans Group, is seeking the contract against companies and airlines such as Comair, SA Airlink, Tourism Empowerment Group (South Africa), InterAir (South Africa), African World Airways, Ethiopian Airlines Enterprises, and ExecuJet (Switzerland).

Comair already successfully operates British Airways and kulula.com in South Africa and was a previous bidder for Air Botswana. A report in a Gaborone newspaper says that Air Botswana is viewed by SA Airlink as having “interesting opportunities in the region.”

Lobair’s chief executive, Sam Asmal, is quoted as saying that his company was ready to improve the fortunes of Air Botswana and make it a regional profitable outfit.” Asmal said Botswana had an advantage through its geographical situation in SADC.

Lobair would ensure that more flights are scheduled between Gaborone and Johannesburg and a new route opened to Lusaka.

A bidders’ conference is due to be held during August.

Dangers of bars near churches, schools

Much has been said and written about a plan by President Festus Mogae to stop bars and bottle stores being opened close to churches, schools, hospitals and clinics, and to limit bar opening hours. He told kgotla meetings during a recent countrywide tour that such places will have to relocate within five years and that changes to the Liquor Act would be made to ensure this took place. As this special report points out, international experience is that the higher the number of bars in a neighbourhood, the higher the rates of assault.

During the whole argument in newspapers about the proposed bar operating hours, the liquor industry’s supporters have given a lot of their opinions but have also fallen short on facts. Since we can believe, based upon accepted medical facts, that the bodies and brains of humans the world over react to and are affected by alcohol in similar ways, we don’t have to wait for studies to be done in Botswana. That is a delaying tactic of the pro-alcohol faction that should not be permitted to influence decision-making about this important subject. Facts about Alcohol the Drug are readily available and speak for themselves.

A new study analyses the relationship between alcohol outlets and overnight hospital stays due to assaults.

Results indicate the greater the density of alcohol outlets, especially bars, the higher the rates of assault. The authors speculate that failure to regulate growth in outlet numbers will lead to higher rates of violence, especially in urban areas. Roughly 15 years of research has shown that the availability of alcohol – as measured by the number and types of alcohol outlets – is directly related to interpersonal violence. A longitudinal study spanning six years is the first of its kind to use overnight hospital stays to re-examine the influence of alcohol outlets upon violent assaults. Findings confirm the greater the outlet density, the higher the rates of assault.

According to the report in the publication “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research”. Hospital discharges are carefully tracked throughout the State of California, in the United States, and provide accurate assessments of causes of injury.

This is the research conducted by Paul J Gruenewald, of the Prevention Research Centre in the United States. “Included among these are assaults or injuries that arise from some form of inter-personal violence. About one out of 10 assaults recorded by police are severe enough to require hospitalisation. “Thus, assaults recorded in discharge data represent the most severe cases of inter-personal violence, short of death, that occur in the state.”

Using the data on violent assaults rather than crime reports from law enforcement officials also helps to control biases, says Richard Scribner, professor of preventive medicine at Louisiana State University health sciences centre. “For example, residents of neighbourhoods with high levels of police mistrust might be unlikely to report an assault,” he says. Research collected data from 581 “consistently defined areas” in California, and features of local populations, such as household sizes, and places, such as retail markets, were correlated with one measure of violence: Hospital admissions related to violent assaults.

“We found thast rates of violence increase in areas with growth in the number of bars and off-premises establishments that sell alcohol,” said Gruenewald. “These relationships are independent of changes in other aspects of communities often related to violence, such as poverty or vacant housing.”

It was also noted that alcohol consumption at bars or taverns tends to concentrate at-risk individuals within environments that emphasise both drinking and social interactions – “for those individuals with some predisposition to violence, such as young males living in impoverished areas, this is enough to increase violence rates. In addition, high concentrations of off-premise alcohol outlets tend to occur in communities with lower levels of social control, where a variety of other crimes occur – such as illegal drug sales and prostitution.”

The effects of alcohol outlets are found not only in the immediate vicinity but also in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

“These findings are significant from a prevention standpoint,” says Scribner. “Policies targetting the density of bars and off-sale outlets could be used by policymakers to address high rates of interpersonal violence in their communities. After all, violent assaults may only be the tip of the iceberg. “Responsible leadership needs to factor in the potential social costs as well as the economic benefits associated with the approval of even one more additional outlet.”

Bush is the place for the bold and daring

By Lets Open

DITSHIPING –Living in the bush is no easy task for safari guides and workers, as they have found out in this area.

Large numbers of wild animals are attracted to deep lagoons and other waterways that are favourites for boating, but there is always the danger of hippos and crocodiles lurking nearby.

At one camp in the Ditshiping area, elephants wander in and out, stealing whatever food they can get their trunks around.

“We have a few resident hippos and an old elephant named ‘Tom Bains’,” said safari worker Florence Samaphanyane, while a friend, Dichiping Opelo says there are many “water creatures inhabiting the pools.” These include monitor lizards, water snakes and wild animals such as water buck, Sitatunga, Roan Antelope, Red Lechwe, and other plainsgame.

“You see some amazing creatures out here,” said Opelo, referring to a recent incident when a group of South African tourists and their guide came across an animal that looked like a cross between a tortoise and a snake.

Kesebonye Oatsi said: “We don’t sleep well as monkeys and baboons climb over our tents, particularly early in the mornings, while playing with their young, and hyenas are always about searching for food. “Elephants pass through our camp as there are no electric fences such as those found at other camps.” She added: “Animals are animals. One day someone will be killed.”

Further into the bush, at Khwai and Mababe, residents have taken to chasing away wild animals in order to collect their share of antelope and other game killed by lions.

Recently men from the two settlements chased away a pride of lions in order to grab a buffalo that had been brought down by the lions. Dikarabo Oagile, a guide, said he had witnessed such incidents, and recalled when a zebra was killed by lions near Khwai. But on that occasion, the lions won the day – keeping at bay villagers who wanted to share in the spoils.

Times   Art & About

A village ‘thirsty for great music’

RAKOPS – Party animals are really born not made. The sound of the “Gongs” filled the space so much even the deaf could hear! Saturday July 29 was a night Rakops night callers will never forget. Every “puto” (brother) and “ba ama sistere” (sisters) were jiving like nobody’s business. A crazy night indeed.

The braai stand stood down in the street and it was quickly labelled a “street bash” as Leatile Morolong aka DJ Dan Do himself was spinning the tables, tunes floated like the river Nile during the ages.The gig was spearheaded by two unknown young ladies who were according to those in the know, were celebrating a birthday.

Born in Serowe, Dan Do started his primary education in Maun and he sat for his junior certificate at Moeti JSS before attending classes at Maun SSS. He then enrolled at the University of Botswana and or a degree in Humanities and that’s where he learned to spin the discs.

He was a crowd puller at university and featured as MC at big events such as the Freshers Ball. Today, he is the only jockey in the village of Rakops. He told The Ngami Times that “generally entertainment in our area is not enough. It is like being thirsty in the desert. “I am not a full-time DJ but do it part-time as by profession I am a teacher,” he added.

Given a chance he will be a threat to any DJ.

Russian ballerinas perform in Botswana

GABORONE – The stars of Russian and American ballet are to perform in a one-off show in Gaborone on Saturday night (August 13). It will be the first time that the country has seen the Ballet Moscow ballerinas and their visit follows on a successful South African tour last year. Yuri Vetrov, former director of the Bolshoi Ballet, has prepared an excellent programme for the show at the Gaborone International Convention Centre.

The show is performed in three stages, including act 1: Paganini, Act 2: Pas de deux, and Act 3: Swan Lake, and various other performances. Dancers from various celebrated ballet companies will be on stage, including those from the Moscow State Classical Ballet, Kremlin Ballet, Metropolitan Classical Ballet (United States) and the Theatre of Stanislavsky and Nemierovich-Danchenko.

VIP tickets are P250 and Silver seating P175 for adults and P75 for children under the age of 12. Bookings can be made through Sega on 363 7607.

Media women to hold conference

GABORONE – The first annual general meeting of the Botswana Media Women Association (BOMWA) is to take place in Gaborone on August 25. The association, which has opened its membership to men as well, covers practitioners in writing, printing, publications, audio-visual aids, film, television, advertising, graphics, and media training.

The newly-opened Kamanga Lodge in Maun recently treated Member of Parliament for Maun West, Ronald Ridge, and the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Moeng Pheto, to a Nyama Choma feast. Nyama Choma is a popular Kenyan dish. Pictured are the lodge management together with Ridge (Left) and Pheto (Centre in colourful shirt).Inset: Two VIPs with the Director of the Lodge, Mike Kamanga

Jailed for chopping off woman’s head

By Golang Raditsela

A man who cut off a woman’s head at Xharaxao cattle post has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by Judge Moses Chinhengo at the Francistown High Court.  Sam Dikokawe cut off Rehedile Dikeledi’s head, after shaving it, and put it next to her naked body in 2003.

The body was found by Goitsemang Kenosi, a resident who had gone to check on Dikeledi, but found horror instead.

Dikeledi’s daughter, Obonye Saokanga, told the court her mother’s head was shaved, cut off and put near the naked body, and  her hands tied behind her back.

The other witness, Ndiane Samasasa said Dikokawe should be referred to as “a lion”, because what he did was inhuman.

Denying the allegations, Dikokawe said he only went to Dikeledi’s house to pick up his blanket. The court found that reason to be a lame one as it turned out the blanket was the same that he had earlier bought in Maun. His evidence was rejected and he was convicted for murder.

Major ODMP consultative workshop

By Bright Kholi

The Okavango Delta Management Plan Project in conjunction with the University of Botswana Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation will next week hold a major consultative workshop for community leaders within the Ramsar Site. The workshop, to be held in Gumare from August 8 to 10,  is targeted at Dikgosi, Village Development Committees, Community Based Organisations and non- governmental organisations (NGOs). According to the ODMP project secretariat, the involvement of user communities in the whole planning process is an important aspect of the project. The first consultative exercise was between November 2003 to March 2004 and again between January 2006 and May 2006.  The third round of consultations will commence with the workshop in Gumare, followed by Kgotla meetings. The workshop’s objectives are to give feedback on the ODMP process, and to discuss and confirm management objectives/ interventions proposed in the draft Okavango Delta Management Plan.

The Okavango District Officer, Pepukae Makambe, will officially open the workshop.

Teacher arrested for assault

By Basadi Morokotso

A teacher at Tshwaragano Primary School, Boitshwarelo Molefhi, 36, has been arrested following a fight with a colleague at the school’s staff housing.

This comes after a series of alleged misconduct as an employee of the public service.  Molefhi, who was said to “have a bad record of assault” at Maun Police, is said to have beaten up Peter Butale, a self employed electrician, causing grievous bodily harm.  He is said to have had a misunderstanding with Butale after a drinking spree with a few friends at his house at the school over the weekend. Butale was rushed to Maun General Hospital and then airlifted to Nyangabwe Referral Hospital, Francistown, in a critical condition.

In mitigation, Molefhi pleaded with the court to be lenient with him and give him bail because he was due to prepare end of term examinations for his class.  Magistrate Nsikelelo Moyo responded by telling him he (the magistrate) “would be sleeping on his job” if he gave him bail because he has become a serious threat to society.  Moyo also told him to worry less (about the examinations) because there were capable and responsible people such as his school principal who will be left in charge of his class while he languishes in jail. Molefhi was remanded in custody awaiting trial set for September 2006. If found guilty, he faces a jail term of not more than five years.

SPORTS

Rollers take Cup and pocket P45 000

 Sweet smell of success . . .  they’re on a roll. Players from Township Rollers toast their victory

 in the 2006 OrangeKabelano Charity Cup final at Gaborone last weekend (Picture: Bose Sethupa)

 By Bose Sethupa

GABORONE - The 2006 OrangeKabelano Charity Cup has come and gone leaving soccer fans and players in different moods - some happy and other in sorrow.  Four teams displayed scintillating skills of soccer, exchanging good passes and scored goals to the delight of the crowd that thronged the national stadium at the weekend.

The four - Lobtrans Extension Gunners Notwane, Township Rollers and Gaborone United - battled it out in the semi-finals which Notwane and Rollers booking themselves places in the final which was staged in the afternoon.  Notwane,  alias “Toronto”, beat Gaborone United aka “The Money Makers” 1–0 and Township Rollers aka “Mapalastina” prevailed with a 2-1 win over Gunners (Mapantsula) in a game many called a cracker. At the end of the day, it was Rollers who were crowned champions after beating Notwane 4 – 2.

The final started off slowly with players looking exhausted due to the morning games. Both teams played cautiously and defending well. The on-form Rollers were the first to get a goal through Onalethata Thekiso and although Notwane tried hard to come back from behind but couldn’t convert their chances until after half time. They fought hard and were reward with a strike from Keoagetse Radipotsane and shortly after they were in the lead thanks to a stunning diving header from Kitso Kowa.

Rollers, who are being coached by Zimbabwean Mandinda Ndlovu, never panicked, got their act together and got an equaliser through their new signing, Joel “16” Mogorosi.

A few minutes later, they were awarded a dubious penalty which was easily converted by Shono Bogatsu. In the dying minutes of the game. Mogorosi netted the 4th to give his side the victory. Both teams appealed for penalties throughout the game as nasty challenges were thrown, ending in both sides receiving a red card. Violence nearly erupted after the game as Notwane players and officials believed that they were robbed of two obvious penalties but the police intervened.

Notwane left the field before receiving their medals as they felt that they did not deserve to lose the game but their officials persuaded them to return and they angrily accepted the medals. Rollers fans erupted in wild celebrations as their heroes were handed the trophy by the Orange chief executive officer, Thapelo Lippe, and they also pocketed P45 000.  Joel Mogorosi was voted the Man of the Tournament and walked away with an expensive cellphone and loads of free airtime courtesy of Orange

Madinda Ndlovu is now the man of the moment after having endured criticism levelled at him from the media and some Rollers fans who went to the extent of calling for his resignation.

An official of Rollers said:  “We are now looking  forward to clinching the Coca-Cola Cup.  I am very sure that we will do well and with our new signings we look destined for greater things.” This year’s Kabelano Challenge had Vee, Eskimos, the South African outfit Malaika, Stilt walkers and trampoline acrobats entertaining thousands at the Stadium. Orange gave away T-shirts, caps, and many other hampers.

Terrors blow their chances of promotion

Despite giving an outstanding performance, Maun Terrors are out of the division one promotional soccer play-offs. The Maun outfit played their last two games over the weekend, winning 3-1 against Man Machine from Mahalapye through goals from the hard and forceful Shaka Pelontle Dimbo who scored a brace before the 3rd goal from defender Collin Sebako.The result raised the morale of the Terrors camp, but Kasane’s Ferry Wanderers spoiled the party for Terrors when they held them to a 1-1 draw.

Dimbo was on target again for his side, but still the result was not enough, as Ferry had a game in hand. 

Two teams, Ferry Wanderers and Red Lions, have booked their places in the Med Rescue 1st division next season. Terrors finished 3rd. According to team captain Ronald Sebako, the team played as a unit in the games, especially in the final game which everyone wanted to win. Meanwhile, preparations for the new season are at an advanced stage.

The Nhabe Region BFA committee will be holding a meeting over the weekend, in preparation for the new season as well as a new committee that will be in control of the league.  Teams are working round the clock clearing players, as the transfer window has been opened and some teams have already started training.

There will also be a number of friendly games over the weekend. Makgabisa will play against North West United (The Elephants) on Sunday at 3pm at Maun Sports Complex.

British coach for Zebras

Speculation is now over - the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has finally announced the name of the new coach for the national team, Zebras.

He is Colwyn Rowe, who is taking over the team from Veselin Jelusic who has been deployed to develop junior national teams. The entire football fraternity expects a lot from the new coach, as Jelusic had taken the national team to a high level.

Rowe will take the Zebras to Lusaka, Zambia, for the COSAFA Castle Cup semi-finals next weekend and will travel to Uganda for a friendly to be played there this weekend. Rowe, who was in charge of junior squads in Jordan, has signed a three year contract with the BFA

Marula soccer tournament on the cards

ORAPA- As always the case, before the end of the Coca Cola Cup the Marula Soccer Centre tournament kicks off in Orapa and Letlhakane. The tournament features only Boteti sub-region second division teams.

The tournament is sponsored by Marula Soccer Centre, a business organization in Orapa whose aim is to promote the development of football in the region. A spokesman for Stallions Sporting Club told Times Sport that training is in progress in preparation for the tournament, adding that they are waiting correspondence from the organisers. Stallions was knocked out in the early stages of the Coca Cola tournament.

Delta Waters basketball team wins silver

The Delta Waters International School’s basketball team won silver at the recent BISA championships. The team performed well in their first season of competition, conquering the north zone where the boys were runners up to Orapa CJSS while the girl’s team was crowned champions.

Both teams went to the BISA championships where the boys climbed all upon their northern rivals to claim the 2nd position, while Maru a Pula were the winners and Orapa CJSS on 3rd spot.

In the girl’s competition, Maru-a-Pula also dominated as they emerged winners again. Delta Waters girls team were placed 5th  while Orapa girls came 6th.

In addition to claiming the silverware, the vice captain of the boys team, Keone Pheto, was voted the Most Valuable Player.