Border villages on high alert, but calm
Ryder Gabathuse | Thursday November 16, 2017 11:49
Reports from villages along Botswana/Zimbabwe suggest that there is nothing to worry about at this juncture. Indicators of a bad situation in Zimbabwe started with army chiefs moving out of the barracks recently and making political pronouncements against President Robert Mugabe’s incessant purging of his opponents.
Yesterday, the military moved into Harare, taking over the state broadcaster, arresting several ministers and placing President Robert Mugabe under house arrest. Reports said at least three bodyguards of one minister were killed by soldiers during an arrest.
Fear is, however, mounting along Botswana villages sharing the border with Zimbabwe that people gripped by fear and those being victimised might be tempted to escape into Botswana, as the fully armed military continues to take its positions.
Knowing very well what has happened to the border villages in the past, when there has been political unrest in Zimbabwe, both the police and the immigration officials are watching the developments across the border keenly.
From Maitengwe to Bobonong, law enforcement officials are on high alert.
By yesterday morning, reports sourced from on-duty immigration and police officials reflected that they had nothing to write home about, as their various areas were still calm. From Bobonong, immigration officer in charge, Tebo Phitshana reported yesterday morning that they were monitoring the situation as a matter of fact. “At the moment, there is nothing unusual really about movement at the border. It’s certainly calm,” she told Mmegi.
Shift supervisor at the Ramokgwebana border, Thato Gape also reported calm at their immigration serving point. “It’s calm here and we are experiencing nothing unusual really,” Gape said, emphasising that they were watching the situation for anything reportable.
Another immigration officer in charge at the Matsiloje border, Irene Mogotsi reported that their entry/exit point was yet to experience anything unusual.
“At the moment there is nothing to report really and the situation is closely monitored for any reportable incident,” Mogotsi said yesterday.
Police also reported that there were no negative reports yet of people fleeing their country to seek refuge in Botswana.
Bobonong Police Station commander Superintendent Paul Seoko and his colleague at Matsiloje, Inspector James Moikotlhai, reported ‘complete calm’ at their respective stations.