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| Buhsman children, South Africa
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
The evidence of the Assistant Director of Wildlife, Jan Broekhuis,
concluded yesterday after nine gruelling days in the witness box. His
evidence was characterised by repeated claims not to remember important
events in the time leading up to the relocations, coupled with frequent
assertions that he had not read relevant documents concerning the
reserve or could not remember their contents.
At the conclusion of his evidence, government lawyer Sidney Pilane
attempted to introduce the next witness, Joseph Matlhare, who since
2000 has been the Director of Wildlife and National Parks. He is
expected to give evidence about government policy in relation to the
Central Kalahari Game Reserve and to testify on 'conflict' in the
reserve.
Before Pilane could begin to examine him, lawyers for the Bushmen moved
to block the Director appearing as an expert witness. They pointed out
that government lawyers had failed to advise his team in advance of
what expert opinions he would be presenting, thus breaching the High
Court Rules. Three weeks ago, the government lawyers completely changed
the order of the thirty witnesses they propose to bring, putting
Bushmen lawyers at a severe disadvantage in preparing cross-examination.
The judges are due to rule on the matter this morning.
