17 Apr 2020

Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation notes with deep concern the misinformation and distorted reports on social media platforms purporting that government has embarked on forceful deportation of Zimbabwean nationals.

In a press release, the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation observes that the assertion being made is completely inaccurate.

The release states that the fact of the matter is that the recent repatriation exercise was undertaken jointly with the Zimbabwe government, following requests from Zimbabwean nationals who wanted to be assisted to return home amid the coronavirus (COVID – 19) pandemic and the lockdown measures put in place.

In the spirit of solidarity and the excellent relations between the two countries, it states that on April 16, 255 Zimbabwean nationals were voluntarily repatriated from Botswana by road and received by Zimbabwean authorities at the Ramokgwebana Border Post.

In appreciating the consequences of the lockdown of movement restrictions and in keeping with the spirit of the exercise, none of the repatriated individuals was charged for breaching immigration rules.

Therefore, the ministry wishes to underscore that Botswana and Zimbabwe remain committed to work closely together in responding to the outbreak of COVID – 19 and mitigating its impact on both countries, as well as on the livelihoods of their nationals. In this context, the ministry states that the two countries will continue to collaborate and coordinate voluntary repatriations when necessary. ENDS