Mixed reactions over rhino relocation to NG 32

By Solomon Tjinyeka 

The recent relocations of white rhinos into the NG 32 wildlife management area (WMA) have been received with mixed feelings by the communities.  Some members of the communities view the development as a dress rehearsal for their ultimate removal from their ancestral area while others view the rhinos’ presence as a boost to the local tourism sector. Those who are fearful of the development decry a lack of prior consultations and increased security activities in the area, which impact negatively on their day-to-day lives.
The councillor for Bojanala ward, Luke Motlaleselelo, has maintained that the rhinos’ relocation into their area was carried out without their knowledge and that this has caused confusion among the communities. Motlaleselelo explained that residents also fear that their personal security is at stake and their social life will be negatively affected. The councillor also explained that the first batch of rhinos was relocated into their area in September and the second batch came in early November and that all have since been released into the concession. “As the community   leadership, we are concerned because we were not consulted and this will negatively affect us in the long run,” he said.
He further stated that since the arrival of rhinos in the area, residents’ social life and freedom of movement have been disrupted by security personnel, particularly soldiers, who are always searching them. “People are not living free as they used to because wherever they go they are always searched and repeatedly told not to go where the rhinos are,” he said. He added that this has increased human/wildlife conflict in the area. He cited an incident in which a rhino attacked a mokoro belonging to a community poler and “in another incident a disabled man from Ditshiping was harassed by soldiers as he was forced to offload the grass from his vehicle.”

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