A confidential report passed to the Sunday Standard reveals how government plans to starve Basarwa out of Ranyane Settlement in the Ghanzi District.
The report, entitled “Ranyane Relocation Phase II”, presented by the Ghanzi District details the government’s military scorched earth strategy to force the remaining Basarwa out of Ranyane Settlement: Boreholes will be sealed. Food baskets, old age pensions and mobile health services will be terminated.
The report, which is complete with timelines, revealed that government would on the 28th July meet with remaining Ranyane residents to inform them of termination of services (food basket, old age pension allowance, pay point and destitutes, monthly mobile health stop, and Headman of arbitration).
Ghanzi District is, the report states, undertaking another relocation of Ranyane residents to Bere and Chobokwane as from the 12 August to 20 August 2013. The report shows that a total of 20 families had shown interest to be relocated; 11 households were assessed on 26 June at Ranyane, 10 are already in Bere and have not been assessed.
The report further states that as part of an effort to relocate those who resisted relocation, government will apply for a court order on 10th September. Curiously, the government has already pegged its plans on a court eviction order being granted in its favour even before approaching the courts. The report states that “eviction order available (on 10 September) and on the same there will be eviction of those who resist relocation”.
Another option, the report states, would be removal of engine, bore hole sealing, dismantling of kraals, demolishing Kgotla toilets, stand pipe and mobile toilets.
The report also shows that government has mobilised resources to carry out the relocation exercise.
On 08th July a delegation from Ghanzi District would descend on Ranyane ground “to inform Ranyane Community on the District Action plan (next relocation, termination of services and evection)”.
The proposed budget for the relocation will cost the government millions of Pula. Community budget, which include food basket, is estimated to cost P36 000 and the provision is meant to cater for estimated 20 families for three months at P600 per family.
Food catering will cost P76 000 and is meant to assist in the provisions of meals for families on arrival at Bere and for officers’ engaged on relocation exercise.
Temporary Water supply will cost P40 000. For the long term availability of water in Bere, which will include consultancy, design fee, installation of engine will cost more than P7 million. The report states that 50 officers will be deployed at Bere and Ranyane to assist in the relocation exercise.
Subsistence allowance for the officers is estimated to cost P240 000 and the report shows that government departments budget have been overstretched during the first relocation.
“Court case applicants who will be relocated should sign affidavit to ascertain that they have truly communicated with their lawyers about relocation,” states the report.
Last week, government spokesmen Dr. Jeff Ramsay denied that the government was on course to terminate services to Basarwa saying, “There haven’t been cut off of any service. What is happening is that an assessment is being done regarding the Ipelegeng programme.”
