"In its statement dated February 16, 2012, the government mentions that Botswana's position on the political situation on Zimbabwe has not changed. However, the need for clarification still exists," DITSHWANELO media officer, Thuto Galeitsiwe has said.
He urged the Botswana government to acknowledge that contrary to what Masire said during his visit to Zimbabwe, human rights abuses are occurring in the country. He appealed to Botswana to support regional initiatives to bring the human rights abuses to an end. Galeitsiwe said Botswana should act in a transparent manner by explaining what motivated Masire to make the controversial statements. Masire is alleged to have stated that criticism of Zimbabwe's diamonds as 'blood diamonds' is simply propaganda that should be ignored. He said that 'there are no people being killed' in the Marange diamond region in Zimbabwe, contrary to what has been reported elsewhere. He stated that reports of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe during the relocation of communities in Marange are falsehoods peddled by the Western media.
