SOS Bushmen

A BID to force the last remaining Bushmen, or Baswara, from the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve intensified last week as reports emerged that police had sealed off their camp, including their water supply, and were starving them out.

A small group of Bushmen evaded a police cordon erected around their settlement, and walked for three days to report late last week that their water had been cut off and they were starving in the camp.

One of the men, Kangotla Kanyo, said: "The others and I came out of the reserve to tell the outside world that we are really suffering from thirst and hunger."

He said they were not permitted to hunt, nor to receive supplies from outside the camp. Those attempting to bring in supplies were being shot at and arrested.

Botswana police commissioner Edwin Batshu, responding to earlier reports that the police had fired on Bushmen protesting against the state crackdown and trying to get supplies to the camp, said last week the Botswana police had fired rubber bullets to disperse a group of about 35 Bushmen.

He said the group were trying to enter the game reserve forcibly to take food and water to those Bushmen who would not relocate to New Xade settlement.

First People of the Kalahari spokesman Jumanda Gakelebone backed up claims by those who had evaded the police cordon and escaped from the Molapo camp. He said old people were dying of thirst and hunger in the reserve.

Allegations have also emerged of police brutality against Bushmen to end demonstrations organised by their leaders and human rights watchdog Survival International