Masisi warns against Zim ‘xenophobic’ comments
Spira Tlhankane | Monday February 26, 2024 06:00
Speaking in Parliament, where he was responding to the Budget Speech, Masisi told MPs to be careful not to discriminate against Zimbabweans. “You didn’t say anything when we did this arrangement with Namibia, but just because it is Zimbabweans you are discriminating them, you are belittling them, you are xenophobic.
“If we can check your phones now you will find that some of you have their numbers and have illegally hired them,” he said. Masisi was responding to a comment from Francistown South legislator, Wynter Mmolotsi, who openly resented the possibility of using IDs as a travel document for citizens of both countries. Since Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Kusi Ideas Festival statement last year, legislators have expressed concerns over the lack of consultation, fearing a potential Zimbabwean invasion. Following the backlash, government assured Batswana that there was no signed agreement between Botswana and Zimbabwe on the use of IDs to cross borders.
Masisi questioned when the MPs had started disparaging and mortifying other people. “Le bake le kgwe lethe le itshware khubu (You should take solemnly an oath and swear to never do that),” Masisi further advised. He said just like he had spoken with the late Namibian president, Hage Geingob, he had done the same with Mnangagwa to facilitate for citizens to use IDs to cross borders.
“Omang will replace passport as a document of travel, but it is not unrestricted entry into another country,” he emphasised. Masisi added it doesn’t mean that any Zimbabwean with an ID will enter Botswana and be welcomed. “We are trying to eliminate the urge for illegal migration. We are trying to make them law abiding, it's good governance and good neighbourliness. Don’t demean these things because I have grown the friendship between our country and other countries,” Masisi said.
The President added they want to make sure that there is legitimate entry where they will collect a database of everyone who gains entry into both countries.
He said some of the legislators have relatives in Zimbabwe, therefore, they need to constantly cross and attend to family gatherings like weddings. He said travelling using an identity card is cheaper compared to passport. Masisi indicated that the idea to use IDs is great no wonder Mmolotsi is jealous of it. He said he doesn’t know where Mmolotsi got the idea that they will cater for foreigners in the budget. Mmolotsi had put it out to Masisi that he was worried that the budget will not be enough for Batswana and Zimbabweans who will possibly invade the country should the two countries go ahead and agree on using IDs to cross borders. “If they continue using Omang like President Mnangagwa had announced, this means that most of us especially in Francistown, Nkange and Bobirwa will be hardest hit because our economy and services including health are not enough but when they arrive here the budget won’t be enough to cater for two countries,” he said. Mmolotsi had raised the same fear last year in Parliament where he indicated that the government should note that if the ID initiative were to be implemented, Zimbabweans could occupy the North East and outnumber Batswana. “In Francistown, our health system is overwhelmed by Zimbabweans. They are illegally mining gold in our area, so a lot could happen after the ID initiative is formalised.
People of Francistown are living in fear as a result of Zimbabwean criminals, aren’t you considerate of them?” Mmolotsi asked Minister of Labour and Home Affairs last December. For his part, Bobirwa legislator Taolo Lucas said the Zim-Botswana Omang issue is scary because Zimbabweans will flock Botswana in large numbers and steal Batswana jobs. Masisi’s comment comes barely a week after Vice President Slumber Tsogwane had told legislators that they should stop castigating Zimbabwe. Tsogwane said he had in the past ordered MPs not to speak ill of Zimbabwe because it is a ‘sovereign state’. He said Zimbabwe is a neighbouring country, therefore, legislators should not use malice when making comments about it.