Cattle-rustling refugees worry Dukwi chief

Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday June 23, 2015 15:10

Welcoming guests during the World Refugee Day on Friday, Tlwaelang said some refugees were in the habit of stealing livestock that belonged to residents of his village. He said that in some cases they collaborated with locals to steal livestock that entered the camp. “We have recently solved the issue with the police and settlement commandant. As we speak some refugees are in jail for stealing livestock. I appeal to the refuges to desist from committing such crimes because it may polarise your relationship with locals,” said the chief.

Tlwaelang commended Botswana for hosting refugees within her soils and condemned the recent xenophobic attacks that were meted on some foreign nationals in South Africa. “We are all Africans and should live together in peace and harmony,” said Tlwaelang.

The director in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security Ross Sanoto appealed to the refugee community to abide by the laws of Botswana.

“My government will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those who choose to disregard and flout laws of this country,” warned Sanoto.

Furthermore, he said government was concerned about the abuse of young girls and women in the camp. He said despite efforts put forward by government and stakeholders in the prevention of sexual gender based violence (SGBV), cases of domestic violence amongst the refugee community were still high.

Sanoto encouraged the refugees to utilise their time in the camp using noble initiatives created for them in the camp like the Out of School Education and Training (OSET) programme, life skills programme and scholarships from the various national vocational institutes.

Meanwhile, the chairperson for the refugee welfare committee Bhekimpilo Weza appealed to his colleagues to respect the laws of their host nation.

He said that of late, the government has been arresting refugees who leave the camp without permission and end up at the detention centre in the process separating them from their families. “I urge you to always apply for the exit permit if there is need to leave the camp,” said Weza.

He said that the theme “Ordinary People living through Extraordinary Times,” resonates with their real life conditions.

He said that they did not choose to leave their homes let alone to be refugees but were forced to flee their homes leaving their loved ones behind by circumstances beyond their control. “As refugees we request our leaders to build conducive political and economic environment to allow us to return home and contribute to the development of our respective countries,” said Weza.

He further indicated that when refugees arrive in Botswana they are informed of the encampment policy and other laws governing refugees in the country.

He pleaded with government to relax the encampment policy in order to allow them to positively contribute to the economy of Botswana. Weza also requested government to look at the time asylum seekers spend at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Francistown before they are released to the refugee camp.