Foreigners invade Modipane
Tribal authorities in Modipane in the Kgatleng District have bemoaned the increasing cases in which residents are terrorised by undocumented immigrants, most of them from Zimbabwe.
Kgosi Fanuel Mokalake told The Midweek Sun in an interview on Monday that most of the illegal immigrants are involved in criminal activities such as stock theft and house-breaking.
Botswana is battling an influx of illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe, as the Zimbabwean government struggles to overcome a deep economic crisis.
Home Affairs Minister, Anna Mokgethi told Parliament earlier this year that Zimbabweans account for 98 percent of all the irregular migrants in the country. She said from 2021 to 2023, out of a total of 13 489 irregular migrants, a total of 13 189 were Zimbabwean nationals.
But authorities in Modipane Village appear to be losing the battle, as those who are deported are soon back in the country.
Kgosi Mokalake says residents in Modipane live in fear because of Zimbabweans. Mokalake also urged residents to stop giving jobs to illegal immigrants.
In August 2023 a Zimbabwean national, Methulesi Moyo appeared before Extension II Magistrate Court accused of killing Fortune Sibanda in Modipane.
Representing the state during the court sessions, Inspector Kgaodi said their investigations are still ongoing and pleaded with court to remand him in custody. Kgaodi also said the accused person is a foreigner and does not have legal travelling papers and therefore, is a flight risk. Magistrate Kamogelo Mmesi has remanded the accused in custody.
As the leader of the village, Mokalake is worried about the rising incidents of Gender Based Violence where victims end up withdrawing the cases. Ten (10) cases have been reported since January 2024 to date at Mokalake’s customary court but most of them have been withdrawn by the victims.
The chief said in one case recently, a victim withdrew the case because the alleged perpetrator was a breadwinner in the family and that if he is found guilty and jailed, the family would suffer.
Kgosi Mokalake urged victims, especially women, to stop withdrawing cases as this tends to legitimise the action of the perpetrator.