Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said he is of the view that the removal of passport requirements between Zimbabwe and South Africa is in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) good-neighborliness guidelines.
Masisi said the move would reduce the increase in illegal movements between the two countries and would help Zimbabweans who cannot afford passports.
Zimbabwean passports are the most expensive in the region with the cheapest at US$150, although there is a mandatory additional US$20 required for the travel document.
In his budget response speech three days ago, the video of which went viral, Masisi said some people who live in Botswana near its border with Zimbabwe or vice versa have relatives in either country who need to attend family events.
“So, when these relatives want to visit their relatives, given the expensive passport fees, not to mention the food prices, why do they deny them entry with their ID card (identity card)?” Masisi asked.
“Since they have to attend family events like weddings, parties and funerals, why do you say they should be denied entry to border posts using their ID cards?”
Masisi added: I am implementing the African Union and SADC instruments that I signed with regard to facilitating migration and I keep this in mind. I do not condone your racist stance. When we did that with Namibia, you didn’t object, but now, because it’s Zimbabwe, you look down on them, you separate them, and you have xenophobic tendencies.
“You hate people, but I want to assure you, I dare you, if we were to check your phone contacts, many of you have illegal Zimbabwean phone numbers because you are using them for all kinds of duties,” Masisi said. “.
He was implying that many Tswana lawmakers ostensibly hate Zimbabweans, but in real life employ many of them illegally in that country in odd jobs.
“We will ensure that their complete data is collected at the border posts to create databases. We are trying to make them law-abiding and good governance. It is good neighbourliness,” Masisi said.
He asked his fellow lawmakers not to undermine his decision and the move, which he said was based on building good relations with neighboring countries.
Botswana and Namibia on February 22 last year abolished passport requirements making it easier for citizens of the two countries to cross the border using ID.
“We are particularly accustomed to Namibians looking down on us, and now you have taken this bad attitude, and who taught you that,” he asked some of his colleagues who seemed uncomfortable with the perceived development.
“This situation needs to stop immediately. Never repeat this insulting name calling. You are buying too much from Zimbabwe.
“You may not like them, yes, but wait until you are in power and then you can kick them out. I stand by my actions. I am glad that Kenny Kapinga, the former ambassador to Zimbabwe, agrees with me on that view. That is why he nods,” Masisi said. Newsday
