PRESS RELEASE ON THE CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE (CKGR) 2004

CKGR CASE TO BEGIN ON MONDAY, 12 JULY 2004

The case in which the residents of the CKGR are taking the Government of Botswana to court, is scheduled to begin on Monday, 12 July 2004 in New Xade, Gantsi District.

The case is expected to continue until Friday, 16 July 2004, when it will adjourn until Monday, 26 July 2004. Witnesses for the residents will all be heard by the court between 12 and 31 July 2004. During this time, the residents and their expert witnesses will present their testimonies to a panel of three Judges. They are Justices Dow, Dibotelo and Phumaphi.

The Residents are claiming that the termination of services to the CKGR by the Government on 31 January 2002, was unlawful and unconstitutional. They are further claiming that those who have been effectively forced to move from the CKGR due to the termination of services, should be returned to their homes in the Reserve, as they have been unlawfully dispossessed of their land.

The residents are represented by an able team of lawyers comprising local Attorney Chris du Plessis, instructing Attorney Glyn Williams, Senior Advocate John Whitehead and Barrister Gordon Bennett, QC. Both advocates have had extensive experience litigating human rights cases. The legal team were selected by the Residents for their particular knowledge of indigenous and human rights issues.

At this stage in the CKGR process, where the matter is now before the court, DITSHWANELO’s role in the implementation of the negotiating strategy, is in abeyance. This, because the court process will influence how and when the negotiating strategy will continue. Since its inception in 1998, the Negotiating Team has had a two-pronged strategy – legal and negotiating. DITSHWANELO’s major role has been in promoting the need and importance of reaching a negotiated resolution to the matter.

DITSHWANELO continues to call for recognition of the significance which negotiations can play in reaching a sustained resolution to the current situation.

11 July 2004
Gaborone