The Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported this month that by the end of September 2010, 7,743 Zimbabweans (a decrease of 1,980 since the first half of 2010) were holders of Botswana work permits, compared to 3,128 Chinese and 1,732 South Africans.
The decline in work permit holders could be due to a sign of economic recovery in Zimbabwe; therefore decline in the applications received. Also the vetting process introduced as a security measure could have delayed work permits processing, said the governments Chief Statistician Anna Majelantle.
Illegal immigrants continue to form part of the large Zimbabwean community that resides in Botswana. They contribute to the countrys expenditure, which has been a headache for the government following a plunge in diamond revenues that saw the country record a fiscal deficit since 2008. Last year Botswana arrested and repatriated 46, 472 illegal immigrants countrywide and spent P594 397, 32 on both food and transport.
Post published in: News