BATTLE FOR PHANE

Phane worms, once dismissed as a humble seasonal delicacy, are fast becoming one of Botswana’s most contested natural resources.Traditionally harvested for relish by communities in the central and northern regions, it is now at the centre of a growing crisis, as overharvesting, hoarding, and an unregulated market threaten to wipe it out entirely.A visit by The Midweek Sun to Moreomabele, Serule, and Topisi suggested dwindling supplies, desperate harvesters, and rising tensions in what locals label a “dog-eat-dog” industry.Under the scorching sun, only a handful of harvesters could be spotted, fewer than expected at this time of year. Small batches of Phane lay drying; the mood was heavy, marked by frustration and defeat.Odireleng Sekgwa Dibete, 58, who had travelled from Dibete alongside fellow harvester Tebogo Ditoto (48) and others, in hopes of making a living, said,“There is nothing left. We came here expecting to harvest, but the trees are empty; we are going back home with nothing.”According to harvesters, phane has been aggressively collected since early March, well before it reached full maturity in April. This premature harvesting, they said, driven by profit motives, is leaving the entire region stripped bare before the proper season even begins.They added that the harvesting frenzy is being fuelled by foreign labour, alleging that large groups of people from neighbouring countries, particularly Zimbabwe and South Africa, have flooded the areas in recent weeks.“These foreigners are hired by Batswana; they harvest in large quantities without mercy, they take everything,” Dibete said.Phane typically sells for around P400 per 20-litre bucket locally; reports suggest that across the border it fetches as much as R2,500, mainly because they use as livestock feed. The price difference is what has transformed phane into what some now call “gold.”“We fear it will go extinct if the government does not act; people are taking it in huge amounts and crossing the border. There is no control,” they said.Adding to the chaos are allegations of deception among harvesters themselves.In one incident, a group was reportedly convinced to delay harvesting under the pretence of allowing the worms to mature. While they waited, others secretly brought in foreign workers to clean up the area.“By the time we realised what was happening, everything was gone. People are cheating each other now. It is survival of the fittest,” Dibete said.Ditoto echoed similar concerns, calling for urgent government intervention. She pointed out that although regulations exist, such as limits on harvest sizes, there is little to no enforcement on the ground.“People come as early as March and take even the smallest phane; there is no one monitoring how much is being taken. The rules are there, but they mean nothing.”Beyond overharvesting, hygiene and environmental degradation are emerging as serious concerns. With large numbers of harvesters camping in the bush, basic sanitation is often ignored.“People relieve themselves anywhere without digging holes; the smell is unbearable, and it puts everyone at risk of getting sick,” they shared.Meanwhile, local leadership is equally alarmed, as Area Councillor Ishmael Tsiapana described the situation as both an environmental and economic crisis.“These harvesters are destroying the land; they cut down mopane trees to build temporary shelters, and when they leave, the area is left damaged. Those trees are important as they help the environment and prevent global warming.”Tsiapana added that some harvesters go as far as climbing trees and cutting branches to access phane, further accelerating deforestation. Worse still, many never return to the same sites, leaving behind a trail of destruction.“Phane is life for the people here. When there is pain, families survive. They use it to buy food and basic needs, but what we are seeing now is exploitation, not harvesting.”To address the crisis, Tsiapana is calling for stricter controls, including a clearly defined harvesting season and designated camping areas.“There must be a period when no one is allowed to harvest, that is the only way we can allow phane to regenerate. We also need proper camps, so people do not keep destroying new areas every year.”Palapye District Council Chairperson Kabo Ketshogile also admitted that the situation has spiralled beyond expectations.“We had hoped that Batswana would comply with the rules, but the demand is too high. People are treating phane like diamonds now,” he said.Ketshogile noted that despite efforts to regulate the industry through permits, enforcement remains a major challenge. Officers are often forced to issue permits on-site due to the large number of harvesters arriving from across the country.“The numbers are overwhelming, even when we try to control access, people find ways around the system.”He confirmed that the government will see how best to review existing regulations in a bid to restore order and ensure sustainability.“We are facing a crisis, people are harvesting phane before it even matures. If this continues, we risk losing it completely. We have heard that the harvesters have now moved to Mmatshumu in the Boteti area, and authorities there are also facing the same problem; there are just too many there,” he said.Ketshogile added that because it is a source of making a living for most Batswana, they find themselves in a difficult position, as harshly enforcing rules might be wrongly interpreted as harassment, hence there is a need to approach diligently.

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BATTLE FOR PHANE