The government earlier maintained consultation meetings were held with the then three traditional authorities, Masubia, the Mafwe and the Mayeyi. The Minister of Home Affairs, Safety and Security, Dr Albert Kawana, who was part of the technical team, was earlier quoted as saying that some members of the traditional authorities were flown by helicopters that belonged to the water affairs and Namibian Defence Force along the entire stretch of the Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe River. Dr Kawana said the involvement of the traditional authorities was also coordinated with the former governor of Zambezi, Bernard Songa Sibalatani