The Zimbabwean has established that the Botswana government has also set aside funds worth millions of pula to set up plans to increase the number of security agents to deal with Zimbabwean illegal immigrants.
“The Home Affairs Ministry has received 21 million pula to buy the repatriation vehicles which would be used by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship,” home affairs permanent secretary, Mothusi Palai, was quoted as having said by the Botswana Gazette last week.
Palai was quoted as saying Zimbabwe’s unprecedented economic crisis, characterised by record-breaking inflation and blamed on wrong policies by the Zanu (PF) government “was getting out of control.”
“Botswana should therefore be ready to cope with any eventuality and have enough resources to handle whatever situation may arise. There is need to find a viable solution to this problem of Zimbabwean immigrants as they are milking the government of its funds,” added the Gazette.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has admitted that his government was fighting a losing battle over the issue of illegal immigrants with most of the deported immigrants returning to South Africa within weeks of their deportation.
And South African Home Affairs Minister, Nosizwe Mapisa-Nqakula recently said deporting illegal immigrants was a waste of public money as many quickly found their way back into the country. – Pindai Dube
Post published in: News