Masisi to propose no passport borders with Zim

Zim Now Writer

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi is mooting a proposal to allow nationals of his country and Zimbabwe to use identity cards to enter either state.

Currently, citizens from both countries have to carry valid passports in order to be able to travel into the other country.

Media reports Zimbabwe’s western neighbour say the Botswana President is expected to present the idea to President Emmerson Mnangagwa when the two meet.

“President Mokgweetsi Masisi has just revealed that in a few months’ time, he will be meeting his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on a visit where he will make sure they discuss the use of identity cards for border crossing among the two countries,” wrote The Parrot newspaper.

This comes as last month, Masisi and Namibian President, Hage Geingob signed a Memorandum of Understanding permitting citizens of Botswana and Namibia to use IDs for cross-border travel.

A former army general, The Botswana leader said the arrangement will be rolled out with other countries that share borders with Botswana.

Most Zimbabweans migrate to Botswana as economic refugees seeking employment and others visit specifically for shopping while those from Botswana mostly cross into Zimbabwe to seek tertiary education, or as religious tourists.