BULAWAYO More than 13 000 Zimbabweans have been deported from Botswana between April and June this year, an official has said. The acting Regional Immigration Officer at Plumtree, Hebet Mudzvova, said relations with the Tswana were "fairly deplorable".“There are reports of these people using the military to control queues on their side of the border. Some Zimbabweans have told us horrific stories of their treatment at the hands of that country’s law enforcement agents. They speak of people being beaten up with sjamboks which is against International Human Rights,” said Mudzvova.
According to the officer, four trucks a day bring deportees across the border. On Botswana public holiday this figure increases.Statistics made available by Immigration authorities show that a total of 6 463 people were deported in April with 4 228 males, 1 999 women and 236 children.
In May the figure went down to 3 128 and of this total 87 were children.
In June 3 707 people were deported, 2 390 being male, 1 159 female and 97 children.
After going through Immigration formalities the deportees are referred to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
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