Immigration asks Cllrs' help to deal with illegal immigrants

"We are looking for your suggestions on how to best deal with the matter. It is becoming quite expensive for the government," Regional Immigration Officer Barulaganye Magowe told Francistown councillors. The officer said that the influx of illegal immigrants has become a serious concern to his department.

"In a month in the north we have to send back about 1,600 people from Zimbabwe, China, Kenya and other countries who have come into Botswana or are residing in Botswana illegally," he explained.  He said that transporting illegal immigrants is very expensive. "The trucks that we have to use and the manpower are quite expensive because we have to cater for fuel, meal allowances and so forth," he explained.