How the Namibian refugees came to be in Botswana

Geoffrey Mwilima was also left with scars after an assault by government forces in the aftermath of the 1999 assault
Geoffrey Mwilima was also left with scars after an assault by government forces in the aftermath of the 1999 assault

Two years ago, a group of the Namibians at Dukwi Refugee Camp opened up to Mmegi Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI about how they escaped from heated conflict in the Caprivi Strip in 1999, crossed the treacherous Okavango area and arrived in Botswana

Tensions had long been rising. The inhabitants of a 20-kilometre wide and 400 kilometre-long piece of paradise nestled amongst the Zambezi, Chobe, Linyanti and Okavango rivers said they were being brutally oppressed.

The Caprivi Strip wanted to be free of Namibia and residents were willing to use force to extricate themselves from “Big Brother’s” grip. The popular secessionist party in the region, the United Democratic Party (UDP) had formed a militant wing, the Caprivi Liberation Army (CLA).

Editor's Comment
Bravo police for prompt action

It is also hurting that whilst we all know that the Botswana Police Service (BPS) is charged functionally with the duties to investigate all forms of crime, some locals have resorted to taking the law into their own hands. It is very wrong to do that. There is also a possibility that one may wrongfully take the life of a person in the process, unless it is a justifiable case of self-defence. Recently, in the city of Francistown, some locals found...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up