A Namibian refugee residing in Gaborone, who preferred to remain anonymous confided in Mmegi that the process is at an advanced stage and within the first half of 2012 hundreds would have returned home. However, there is still uncertainty as to whether it would be safe for all of them to return home. By late December, a total of 30 refugees were repatriated but one of them Mukelabiyi Walubita was rejected by the Namibian government on grounds that his case had not been finalised, hence should not be allowed into the country.
Mmegi learnt that the 70-year-old former Member of Parliament was told by the government of Botswana, with a truck parked at his gate, that it was time to go home and all his belongings were loaded. His family also went home, but he was rejected and is currently under the care of Botswana government and UNHCR. However, when contacted for comment at his residence in Mogoditshane, Walubita declined to discuss the subject saying it could compromise his status as a refugee. He requested to first contact the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security for a go-ahead.
