Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said that elephants roaming in the village of Mukwe, in the Kavango East Region, have become a concern for villagers, adding that children often do not go to school as they fear for their lives.

He asked the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, whether she was aware of the issue and what interventions were being carried out to ensure their safety.

Venaani said that he has received complaints from the villagers, stating that about seven elephants often roam the area, striking fear into the residents.

"The guards or your rangers are saying, 'These elephants should not be moved because they are unruly or naughty, and therefore the villagers must not attend to them.' But as we are speaking, there are two elderly women, whose names I have withheld, who cannot go and fetch water from their houses to the tap because the elephants are running amok in the village. As the Minister of Tourism, responsible for elephants and all matters related to our fauna and flora, have you heard about the elephants in the village of Mukwe?"

The minister responded that she is not aware of the particular matter. She, however, added that sometimes humans would settle in areas that formed part of migration corridors for the animals for many decades.

"They are very territorial; they have their corridors. Even if they passed 20 years ago, and you say you've been there for 10 years, if it's time for them to pass, they will come, but they often don't ask permission. But yes, we have control mechanisms in place; should they be noticed in an area, we have stuff around the country, and they know what to do to remove it, but in that specific incident, I'm not aware."

The minister said she will do further investigation and try to resolve the issue.