botswana/namibia - Cour international de Justice

493. On the possibility of burial on the Island, Professor Sefe says:
"During the coring, as mentioned above, it was found that saturated zone lies only about 1.5m
below the surface. The sand layer was very highly saturated. It would have been difficult to
bury under such conditions. No wonder no graves were found on the island." (ibid., page 10,
para. 8.2)
494. This report clearly contradicts the claims by some of the witnesses that people were
buried on the Island.
(C) Evidence of Botswana Witnesses
41. For its part, the Botswana Government called a total of twelve witnesses to give evidence
before the Joint Team of Technical Experts. In contrast to the Namibian witnesses, these
witnesses gave their evidence in a calm and non confrontational manner. They did not seek to
attribute sovereignty over the Island to either Botswana or Namibia, unless they were
specifically asked to do so by the Namibian Component of the Joint Team.
495. Since these witnesses were twelve only in number, it is convenient to summarise their
testimony hereunder
496. The Rev. Leonard Mowaneng (Final Report of the Joint Team of the Technical Experts,
Vol. 1, Kasane (Fourth Round), p.3) who was 70 years in May 1994.
497. He worked in the District Commissioner's Office in the Caprivi Strip.
498. When he was working in the District Commissioner's Office he knew Sedudu to be an
Island within Botswana. (ibid., p.4)
499. The Suzman brothers who were cutting timber in Botswana grazed their cattle in the
Island (ibid., page 4).
500. When he was working in the District Commissioner's Office in Katima Mulilo, he did
not come across any information indicating or even suggesting that Kasikili/Sedudu Island
was part of Namibian territory. (ibid., page 4)
501. Isang Phutimpe, 72 years old in 1994. He trekked cattle for the Deaconos brothers from
Maun to Kazungula. They would set up camp in the Island to rest and graze the cattle (ibid.,
page 14).
502. Thakayakgosi Modisaemang, who was 73 in 1994, testified that he used to trek cattle
from Maun to Kazungula. (ibid., page 18). They stopped over on Kasikili/Sedudu Island
where they grazed their cattle. From there they drove the cattle in smaller numbers to the
crossing point at Kazungula. (ibid., page 18). He was trekking cattle between the years 1943
to 1950.
503. Maseni Samunzala, who was 80 years old in 1994, testified that he lived on
Kasikili/Sedudu Island in 1933. At that time Kasikili/Sedudu Island was grazing land for
Government cattle. (ibid., page 21).