Botswana recalls military attache from Zimbabwe

BOTSWANA has recalled two of its diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe after the two countries failed to resolve an issue concerning Batswana game rangers who were arrested for straying into Zimbabwe armed with weapons.

Botswana had been seeking a diplomatic solution to the issue since three weeks ago when the rangers were arrested, but had been “rebuffed” by Zimbabwean authorities, according to Botswana’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Gladys Kokorwe.

As a result, Botswana’s foreign affairs minister Phandu Skelemani announced on Friday that the country had decided to recall its defence and intelligence attaches by the end of the month, and was expecting Zimbabwe to reciprocate by recalling its officials stationed in Botswana.

“The government of the Republic of Botswana expects the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to reciprocate by recalling its Defence and Central Intelligence Organisation attaches from Botswana by the same date,” Skelemani’s statement read.

“The position of the government of Botswana is that these two posts should be frozen and never to be filled.”
Skelemani said he had tried to discuss the matter with the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Botswana but nothing much was achieved.

He said he tried to call the Zimbabwean foreign affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi but was told that he was too busy.
Ambassador Kokorwe said the game rangers were arrested after crossing into Zimbabwe by mistake while tracking a lion that had terrorised residents of Lesoma village in the Kazungula area.

There is no borderline between the two countries.
She said the border demarcation is a road that is known to people who are familiar with the area.
The three officers are said to be new in the area.

“The officers were new to the area and they got lost. They decided to follow a gravel road in the hope of meeting people who would help them with directions. After travelling some distance they saw a Zimbabwe flag and decided to approach the people there,” Ambassador Kokorwe said.
The officers reportedly presented themselves to what is now believed to have been a border patrol team from Zimbabwe and told them of their predicament and that they were lost and looking for directions.

“Unfortunately, after talking to three people there, they eventually found themselves in the hands of the police. Frustratingly, all our efforts to have the officers released have been ignored by our counterparts here in Harare,” said the Ambassador. The officers have since appeared in court in Victoria Falls and are now awaiting a magistrate’s judgment… So my government said enough is enough.”
A Victoria Falls magistrate is due to deliver its verdict today.

Source: The Zimbabwe Guardian

Published here: 8 February 2010