Botswana President Masisi defends passport free en...

Botswana President Masisi defends passport free entry between Zim and Botswana

Zim Now Writer

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said the removal of passport requirements between Zimbabwe and Botswana is in line with the Southern African Development Community guidelines and good neighbourliness.

Masisi said this move would reduce the increase in illegal movements between the two countries and will assist Zimbabweans who cannot afford passports.

In a budget response speech which went viral through video clips, Masisi said some people living Botswana near its border with Zimbabwe or vice-versa had relatives in either country that needed to attend family functions.

“So, when such relatives want to visit their kin, given the expensive fee of the passport, let alone prices of food, why deny them entry using an ID?

“Because they have to attend family events like weddings, parties, funerals, why do you say they should be denied entry at the border posts using their IDs.

“I am implementing the AU and Sadc instruments which I am a signatory to, in respect to easier migration and do take that into consideration. I don’t condone your segregatory attitude. When we did that with Namibia you didn’t object but now because it is Zimbabwe you are looking down upon them, segregating them, adopting xenophobic tendencies.

“You hate people, but I want to assure you, dare you even, if we were to check your phone contacts many of you have illegal Zimbabweans phone numbers because you are using them for all kinds of duties. I want to make sure there is a legitimate entry,” he said.

Masisi was implying that superficially, several Tswana lawmakers disliked Zimbabweans yet in real life they employ many of them illegally in that country for odd jobs.

“We will make sure to collect their full data at the border posts to create databases. We are trying to make them law abiding and good governance. It’s good neighbourliness,” he said.

Botswana and Namibia on February 22 last year removed the passport requirements making it easier for citizens of the two countries to cross the border using National Identity cards.

In the speech, Masisi asked his colleagues who seemed to not be in agreement with the development not to undermine his decision and move which he said was based on building good relationships with neighbouring countries.

“Precisely we used to be looked down upon by the Namibians and you have now adopted that bad attitude, who taught you that?

“That attitude should stop forthwith. Do not ever repeat that derogatory name calling. You used to buy a lot from Zimbabwe.

“You might not like them, yes, but wait until you are in power then you can chase them away. I stand by my actions. I am glad Kenny Kapinga, former Ambassador to Zimbabwe, is agreeing with me. That is why he is nodding his head,” he added.

The Zimbabwean passport is one the most expensive in the region with the cheapest and ordinary document going for US$150 although there is an additional US$20 required for the travel document.