- sparks debate on safety enforcement, rezoning land use along the river
- calls made for intervention to avert further loss of life
The recent wave of drownings and attacks by waterborne animals along the Thamalakane River has raised serious safety concerns, prompting calls for urgent interventions to swiftly prevent further loss of life from the hazards posed by this river.
As the river channel fills anew incidents usually increase with victims mostly consisting of adults and parents who would have gone to the river for swimming or other activities such as fishing.
These rising death toll has sparked a debate on safety enforcement around water bodies with some suggesting that authorities develop by-laws to protect human life and ensure environmental sustainability of the river.
While some pundits have suggested restricting access to the river for the safety of the public, there have been dissenting view that this would deny people enjoyment of the river while allowing the same that live right in the river and have unlimited access.
Professor of Tourism Studies at the University of Botswana’s Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Joseph Mbaiwa says there is need for public warming signs along the river about the hippos, crocodiles and other dangerous creatures found in the river, as well as against the dangers of swimming in the river and walking along it at night.
On the other hand, he also called for Tawana Land Board and Department of Environmental Protection to approach owners of plots which are right in the river to give way for public recreation along the river adding that some are even illegal extensions into the river. He highlighted that the Department was recommended by the Okavango Delta Management Plan in 2009 to ensure that public does not degrade the river and stop these illegal extensions.
“I don’t support idea of having plots allocated right into the river, I go for a few meters from the river being reserved for the public, we need walking ways along both sides of the river for public enjoyment and exercise,” Mbaiwa said in an interview.
He also advised that the North West District Council should come up with a budget to make Thamalakane River a recreational place for everyone, noting that it has a Tourism Officer who is responsible for the town recreation. “People should ride bicycles on walkways along the river during the day.”
Meanwhile, North West District Commissioner, Thabang Waloka, said his office routinely issues public safety announcements whenever the river fills, reminding communities of the risks associated with a waterway that supports daily life in Maun. He noted that the residents rely on the river for water collection, fishing, tourism activities, and recreational gatherings, making it a central but potentially dangerous feature of the area.
He emphasised that it is common knowledge that the river hosts both crocodiles and hippos, and appealed to parents to be more vigilant in monitoring their children’s movements.
“The river poses a serious risk, especially to children,” he cautioned.
According to Waloka, hippo attacks remain the leading cause of wildlife-related deaths in the region. He added that his office actively conducts community education campaigns about river dangers, particularly after the area experienced a period of 5 to 10 years in which the river had not poured well. This, he noted, means that many new residents and younger children have limited understanding of just how hazardous the river can be.
He acknowledged that there are currently no permanent solutions to the recurring threats posed by the river, as communities depend heavily on it for their livelihoods and live along its banks. “Our role, for now, is to educate and make sure people understand the risks,” he said.
Waloka expressed concern over the frequency of incidents involving crocodile and hippo attacks, as well as drowning cases in the Thamalakane River. He again urged parents to maintain strict supervision of their children to prevent further tragedies.
This week, a 12-year-old boy went missing in the river following a suspected crocodile attack.
Maun Station Commander, Superintendent Joseph Lepodise, confirmed that the police launched a search operation on Wednesday after a 55-year-old Disaneng resident reported that three minors had informed him of the attack. The children, aged between 12 and 13, said they had been swimming in the river when a crocodile snatched their friend and dragged him underwater.
Superintendent Lepodise revealed that the joint search effort involving Botswana Defence Force and SSG scuba divers began at around 5pm and continued into yesterday (Thursday). He confirmed that the search is ongoing as law enforcement agencies work together to locate the missing child.
The search for the boy at the time of print was not successful and the exercise is scheduled to continue this morning. This as the search ran throughout the day on Thursday, but the child has still not been found by nightfall.
In September this year, a 22-year-old Zimbabwean man drowned in the same river, about a kilometre from the current site of incident, after he had gone swimming with residents in the area of Disaneng-Sedie. The police, working with members of the Botswana Defence Force’s scuba-diving unit, retrieved the body the following day following his disappearance in the river where people frequently cross with a mokoro.
