Dukwi refugee camp: a living hell for asylum seekers?

The refugees come from countries like Angola, Namibia (Caprivi Strip), Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Most of these refugees came to Botswana fearing wars that ravaged their countries. Some of them told of how they lost all their family members in the civil wars in their respective countries. However, it has not been smooth sailing in Botswana, where they hoped to find peace and a chance to lead decent lives. Those interviewed narrated how they have been abused in the Centre For Illegal Immigrants Prison, lamenting that they are even denied permits to go into the cities and towns while there is no counselling centre for the traumatised in the camp. On the other hand authorities said they are concerned over frequent incidents of rape, murders, defilement of minors, possession of drugs, such as Marijuana and assaults causing serious bodily harm in the Dukwi Refugee camp.