Wayeyi tribesmen are up in arms and their target is Tawana Land Board and Kgosi Tawana Moremi whom they refer to as “a particular individual.”
The tribe elders are mobilising to reverse the allocation of a lodge site within Moremi Game Reserve to Kgosi Tawana Moremi of Batawana tribe.
Wayeyi are part of the Batawana tribe. Sunday Standard sources have revealed that the Tawana Landboard last week agreed to allocate Kgosi Tawana Moremi one of the three sites within Moremi Game Reserve.
“I can confirm to you that indeed we agreed that we should allocate a site in the Moremi game reserve to Kgosi Tawana Moremi. According to a management plan, three sites were identified because Kgosi Moremi had long expressed that he wanted to utilize his inheritance,” said the source.
Sources further stated that Batawana had written indicating that Moremi Game Reserve belongs to them and they wanted part of it to be given to their chief,and this informed the landboard’s decision on Kgosi Tawana Moremi’s application.
“It was easier for the landboard to allocate a piece of land to Kgosi Tawana Moremi because Batawana were in agreement and we still have their agreement letter,” said the source.
Wayeyi on the other hand insist that the land being parceled out by the land board belongs to them and they should have been consulted first before the allocation was made.
When quizzed on Wayeyi appeal, the source from Tawana Land Board stated that anyone who wished to appeal the decision would be given a fair hearing.
“We are not aware of any appeal. The land board can only act what on is on the table and I must say that from the investigations carried out by the land board, Batawana fully reserve the rights of Moremi Game Reserve,” added the source.
Source also stated that it was now upon Kgosi Tawana Moremi to choose a site within the Moremi Game Reserve, hopefully before the end of the year.
Wayeyi tribal authority chairperson Daniel Samosene has expressed concern that there were no consultations in the lead up to the agreement, adding that as far as they are concerned Chief Island belongs to Wayeyi community.
Samosene pointed out that for years they have been engaging government over the issue and government knows their position regarding the prime area.
“As far as we are concerned, Wayeyi history indicates that the place belongs to us and we are shocked that this matter was concluded without consulting us”, said Samosene.
He said the contentious issue has been dragging since 1926, stating that they have always claimed ownership of the land and all associated rights.
“We have been engaging government about this issue and now to find out that a particular individual is being given options to choose is absolutely shocking,” said Samosene.
He said Wayeyi will not bother to engage Tawana landboard because their ongoing discussions with government over the area never involved the landboard.
“We cannot discuss anything with Tawana Land Board because what they did amounts to abuse of office. They know very well that this is a sensitive matter,” he said.
Samosene said they will be meeting as Wayeyi leadership and thereafter engage the community on the issue.
“It is an issue that we will raise with relevant stakeholders. “We are the inhabitants of that area and government should make it a habit to consult, in that way tensions will reduce,” said Samosene.
Contacted for comment, Tawana landboard chairman, Emmanuel Dube said,“I cannot comment on the issue, the only person who can speak freely about the matter is Kgosi Tawana Moremi,” said Dube.
In 2019, Botswana Khwedom Council (BKC), a body that represents the interests of BaSarwa also blocked Batawana paramount chief Kgosi Tawana Moremi’s land claim over Chief’s Island which Tawana says belongs to him through his forefathers.
Believed to be the largest Island in the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Island is 70km long and 15km wide and is so named (Moremi) because it was once the sole hunting preserve of Kgosi Mathiba, Kgosi Tawana’s forefather. Kgosi Tawana says he has a personal stake in Moremi Game Reserve that forms the largest area in the Chiefs Island.
Moremi Game Reserve was established in 1963 by Batawana who handed the land to government to take care of its administration in 1979. Today Chief’s Island is home to Wilderness Safaris’ famed Mombo Camp that is located inside Mombo Concession in the reserve.
