A team of three Ministers has been dispatched to villages along the Botswana, Namibia border in response to the recent killings of four Namibians by the Botswana Defence Force.
The visit follows a diplomatic row between the two nations over the killing of the suspected poachers near the Chobe River.
Namibians took to the streets and social media in protests, with some threatening to harm Batswana tourists visiting the popular coastal city of Swakopmund. The city has become a favourite for Batswana holidaymakers.
The two governments announced following the incident that they would carry out investigations on the shootings.
On Monday the government however would not share with The Telegraph the composition of the Botswana investigating team.
“Our response is to the effect that if there is any further information relating to the subject matter of your inquiry, we shall issue public information as appropriate,” said Permanent Secretary, Government Communications Andrew Sesinyi.
This week the Office of the President announced President Masisi had dispatched a “high level Cabinet team” to border areas near Namibia to update the communities about the recent developments following the shootings near Kasane.
The delegation was expected to leave yesterday (Tuesday November 18, 2020). The statement said part of the visit was also to allay apprehensions and enhance the spirit of good neighbourliness, nurtured by the good bilateral relations between the two countries.
Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Lemogang Kwape would lead the delegation accompanied by Defence, Justice and Security Kagiso Mmusi, and Assistant Minister also area Member of Parliament Machana Shamukuni.
“The Ministerial delegation will hold kgotla meetings and engage in related meetings with the communities around Kasane, Kazungula, Parakarungu, and other border villages in order to take into cognisance the concerns of communities as well as assuring them of the successful presidential engagements between the Heads of State of the two countries since the onset of the incident,” the official statement from Sesinyi read.
The statement said further emphasis would be placed on assuring the communities that the border incident is being resolved “amicably” and encourage them to remain calm in line with the peaceful resolution of the matter.
“The communities will also be reminded of Botswana’s commitment to the rule of law, and that no one should be tempted to take the law into their hands.” Namibians crowded outside the office of the Botswana High Commissioner to Namibia in Windhoek recently where they handed a petition to High Commissioner Dr Batlang Serema.
Tension erupted following a statement by the BDF recently confirming the killings which happened on the night of November 5, 2020 in the Sedudu area along the Chobe River.
“In its mission of defending Botswana’s Territorial Integrity, Sovereignty and National Interests, the Botswana Defense force informs the public about an incident between members of the BDF and poachers which resulted in four poachers being killed,” the statement read.
The BDF said the incident involved contact with what they called a syndicate of poachers believed to be part of a network responsible for cross border organized poaching.
