Back to Index

Zimbabweans mistreated in Botswana despite positive press reports
Tererai Karimakwenda, SW Radio Africa
October 25, 2006

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news251006/zimsinbots251006.htm

Neighbouring countries to which many Zimbabweans are fleeing to seek a better life have not been the safe haven they were expected to be. The abusive treatment of Zimbabweans in South Africa has been receiving the brunt of the publicity, but the situation in Botswana has slowly become just as intense. From the capital Gaberone our correspondent Warren Moroka said press reports about Zimbabweans have become more positive but time will tell if this translates into a better attitude towards them by the locals. He explained that the trend in the local media has shown that many crimes that were blamed on Zimbabweans had been committed by the local Tswana.

Warren said press reports on local court appearances indicate that most Zimbabweans commit petty crimes like theft, particularly of mobile phones. The majority of more serious crimes like robbery and house break-ins have been attributed to locals.

Warren said Zimbabweans with no legal papers still play cat and mouse games with the police on the streets. Many seek piece work at a place called White City where immigrants without work permits can get hired. According to Oscar the work is back breaking, strenuous and underpaid.

The state controlled Herald newspaper reported Wednesday that xenophobia against Zimbabweans persists in Botswana. The story said Zimbabwean immigrants are being hounded out of villages in Botswana by vigilante groups.

South Africa has many organisations that are run by Zimbabweans to assist Zimbabweans. But refugees in Botswana are not as blessed. Press reports about Zimbabweans there may be changing, but it is jobs and decent housing they need.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP