Stranded Batswana in the Diaspora costing gov't
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday May 28, 2025 09:48
Permanent Secretary (PS) in the ministry, Thuso Ramodimoosi, told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently that they are then forced to repatriate such citizens in order to protect the nation's international image. Ramodimoosi pointed out that they have observed that some Batswana who relocate abroad looking for lucrative jobs later find out that the grass is not exactly greener on the other side.
He said in most cases the ministry has to intervene and rescue the stranded individuals.
The PS added that in the end this noble gesture has backfired because the same people later fail to refund government.
'We have our humanitarian approach to these issues when people get stranded. Because someone is a Motswana, we then say ‘okay let us repatriate you on condition that you will refund us’.
'It becomes an amicable agreement at that point in time, but once we have repatriated someone home they just disappear into the country,' he disclosed.
Ramodimoosi also revealed that those who receive government assistance later vanish and the ministry is forced to run around looking for the said individuals.
He said because these people fail to pay, the ministry is eventually compelled to engage the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for assistance.
Ramodimoosi further disclosed that the AGC is inundated with these cases whilst their ministry has to deal with the debt. The PS said in some cases they are also forced to intervene in repatriation of corpses.
'If we decide not to help them because they don't refund our conscience won't let us sleep,' he noted.
He advised people who travel to foreign countries to approach Botswana embassies whenever they travel.
He said he has observed that people who travel discreetly only disclose when they are in trouble.
Ramodimoosi said in the past the ministry had to intervene and help Batswana who were living in dire situations in some foreign countries.