VP Tsogwane ‘ trapped’ in lion deal scandal
’ I’m a victim of political sabotage’ - VP Tsogwane Tsogwane accused of interfering in Predator Park The 1.960 HA Park is a few kilometers from Tsogwane’s lodge
Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, who is also Member of Parliament ( MP) for Boteti West says he is a victim of political sabotage in his constituency. This comes after claims that he is interfering with the operations of Mokopi Conservation Trust near Mokoboxane village. The Trust operates the Predators Conservation Park and Education Centre and is currently embroiled in a bitter row over funds. Tsogwane, who is also Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP), dismissed the claims that he wants the Board Members of the Trust to be removed and replaced with his lackeys. He is said to be lobbying for people from villages of Rakops and Mopipi to have control of the Trust with the aim of protecting his personal interest. “I know people who are trying to decampaign me in the constituency. Some journalists have also been making enquiries about my involvement in the running of the park and my lodge. “That is not newsworthy it is just gossip. You have to differentiate between news and gossip. Botswana Patriotic Front ( BPF) is the one de- campaigning me. Mokoboxane councillor is a BPF member,” Tsogwane fumed. In March this year, Tsogwane welcomed some lions into the 1.960 Hectares Park. He pointed out during the event that after completion the park will have snakes and crocodiles. Tsogwane urged members of the Trust at the time to work together for them to have the best results, adding that this project will add value not only to the area but also to the tourism sector of Botswana. Tsogwane is said to have expressed interest in one of the two lions which were donated by businessman and former Minister of Agriculture, Christian de Graaff. The VP is alleged to have convinced the tourism ministry to transfer some of the Rhinos housed in Orapa to the Predators Park, allegedly because he wants his lodge to benefit from tourists who will be visiting the park. Tsogwane’s lodge is a few kilometres from the park and is said to have been allocated through the Land Bank by the Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism. The park is said to be strategically positioned to the lodge which is why Tsogwane is advocating for more animals, which are of more interest to tourists to be availed to the park so that both places ( park and his lodge) could become stopover for travellers and tourists, en- route to Maun. According to documents seen by Botswana Guardian the park was funded with P1 million by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks ( DWNP); P350, 000 from Lucara Diamond Company and an additional P1, 300 - 000 from Debswana Mining Company in Orapa. Documents shared with this publication show that on December 24th 2020, DWNP paid the first quarter of the approved funds which was P400, 000. There are claims that some of the materials bought with funds intended for the park have been used at Tsogwane’s lodge. In an interview Tsogwane said he never addressed the Mokopi Conservation Trust and never interfered in any form in their work. “My lodge has been under construction since 2007. I am not involved in the administration of Mokopi Conservation Trust. I trust that its finances are regulated and managed by its Board Members. “When allocated the plot some 13 years ago, I had applied to Letlhakane Sub Land Board not the ministry of Tourism or some form of land bank. “I do not know of any transaction of funds or some form of development from donations by various stakeholders that have been diverted towards the lodge,” the VP said, adding that he has not made any request for any rhino from Orapa to be housed at the Park. How can a park of two hectares house a rhino and two lions, Tsogwane asked? He said the Predators Park was located closer to Orapa to promote local tourism from the mines of Orapa, Damtsha, Letlhakane and Lucara. “In fact, the Park will attract new lodges to its proximity not as alleged. I am resolved to support all my community projects, including Trusts’ initiatives in my constituency ( Boteti West),” Tsogwane said. Reached for comment Director of Wildlife and National Parks Kabelo Senyatso said that he is not aware of any plans to have any rhino or rhinos moved from Orapa to the Predator Pak. “If there was such a development I would have known. As for now I know nothing about such. I have not yet received it on my desk. If there is such a request it would have since been referred to my desk,” said the director.