Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Botswana recalls senior diplomats from Zimbabwe

Botswana recalls senior diplomats from Zimbabwe
Ralph Mutema
Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:44:00 +0000

BOTSWANA says it is recalling two senior diplomats based in Harare in protest against the detention of three 'wildlife officers' in Zimbabwe. The government of Botswana said it would withdraw its intelligence and defence attaches.

It also asked Zimbabwean intelligence officers to leave Botswana and for those posts to never be filled again. The ambassadorial posts are, however, not affected. Co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa said that Government was aware of the issue. He said efforts would be made to hold discussions with Tswana authorities.

“Government is aware of the matter and we will be meeting with our Tswana counterparts to discuss the arrest of the rangers in the coming week (this week),” he said.

“The meeting will focus on a number of issues and the case of the rangers will have to be resolved before we map the way forward.”

He added that Government was handling the matter as “a special case” given the need to maintain diplomatic relations.

“Botswana is our neighbour and the issue of the rangers should not terminate our relations,” he said.

“So, we have to come up with a good ending to the matter. These are our neighbours and they should understand that the matter is before the courts.

“Government’s intervention was, therefore, limited.”

The diplomatic row began three weeks ago with the arrest of three Batswana 'gamekeepers' who had strayed across the border while allegedly tracking a lion.

The Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phandu Skelemani said that he had tried to discuss the matter with the Zimbabwe Ambassador to Botswana but nothing much was achieved.

He tried to call the Zimbabwe Foreign Minister but was told that he was too busy. He indicated that he was going to discuss the matter with the minister at the African Union meeting in Addis Ababa. Skelemani returned yesterday but no news of the anticipated meeting was immediately available.

The three officers briefly appeared before a Zimbabwean court on Tuesday in the resort town of Victoria Falls.

Botswana has tried in vain to have the officers released as the Zimbabwean authorities insisted they must face a full trial.

Botswana often illtreats Zimbabwean citizens who cross into the neighbouring country for business and personal travel.

Botswana also reguarly rounds up illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe who at times are flogged in public for petty crime.

Labels: BOTSWANA, NEOCOLONIALISM

posted by MrK @ 3:40 PM