Samora Machel In Botswana (3)

When they reached the Rhodesian border at Plumtree, however, their inability to speak either English or Chichewa (one of the languages of Malawi) raised suspicions. They might have been detained had it not been for the intervention of a (hereto unidentified) member of the Bechuanaland Peoples’ Party (BPP) who witnessed their predicament.

The BPP good Samaritan then convinced them to return with him to Francistown where on or about March 18, 1963 they formally requested political asylum. This resulted in the pair being initially issued temporary permits by the District Commissioner, while their movements were thereafter observed by the BP Special Branch.