Recently, five Zimbabweans reported that they had even been subjected
to physical abuse. A Zimbabwean said the last time she went to the
offices to apply for more days she was given only a few days even
though she still had more than 40 days in her Emergency Travel Document
(ETD).
"When I wanted to find out why they were doing so, one of the officers
told me that I must go back to my country where there is hunger," she
said.
One of the Zimbabweans, Sibusisiwe Chidau, (35) from Bulawayo said she had 16 days on her ETD. She wanted 12 of them.
"The officer who was helping me gave me only two days and when I wanted
to know why they cannot give me the 12 days, they just said I must go
back to Zimbabwe. They did not give me any explanation even though she
could see that I had 16 days," said Chidau.
Because of the treatment allegedly meted out to them by the Immigration
officers, Chidau said some of her compatriots have chosen to go the
border jumping way.
"There are many of us here in Francistown today as I speak to you. They
decided to jump the border because the immigration officers are not
being helpful," she said.
She added that some of her countrymen and women have also resorted to the "fake stamp" to reside in Botswana.
"They are desperate to remain here because as you know life is difficult in Zimbabwe," she said.
The entrance to the District Immigration Office, west of Blue Jacket
Street, is a beehive of activity every week day because there are
people who call themselves business consultants.
They act on behalf of foreigners applying to extend their days in
Botswana. They also fill up work permits for expatriate workers for a
fee of course. The consultants also help with company registration.
But they too are crying foul saying the workers at the immigration office harass them.
Another consultant, Masego Kgaba said she reported harassment to the police.
"The police told the immigration officers that we have a right to work.
After all our companies are legally registered to conduct their
businesses here. The immigration people tell us to conduct our business
from our offices, but here at the entrance is where we find people.
"People would not come to our offices. It is better we deal with them right here," she said.
The Deputy Regional Immigration Officer, Kgalemi Mechidi said his door is open for complaints.
"It is not our intention that people, even if they are foreigners
should be harassed. Once they have exhausted their days, they must go
back to their countries," said Mechidi.
His subordinate at the district office, Moses Nakedi,denied that his
officers accepted bribes from the Zimbabweans in order to extend their
days in Botswana.