Zim-Botswana diplomatic row looms over arrested officers

No Image

The arrest of three Botswana wildlife officers in Zimbabwe last week is threatening to trigger a diplomatic row between the two countries. So far, Botswana Foreign Affairs Minister, Phandu Skelemani has expressed his frustration at the way Zimbabwe has handled the matter.

Skelemani said on Tuesday that he met the Zimbabwe High Commissioner in Botswana to lodge a complaint about the treatment of the officers but the response was not satisfactory. "The response was that the (Zimbabwe) police have made up their mind that the three should go to trial and there was nothing they could do as government," Skelemani explained.

To further complicate the situation, Skelemani's attempts to speak to the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister have been fruitless. Skelemani said that he tried to phone his Zimbabwean counterpart but could not get to him because he was said to be either too busy or out of the office. The minister never bothered to return calls, said a frustrated Skelemani. The minister, who was still in shock at the message which Zimbabwe government is trying to convey in the case of the three officers said he would try to meet the country's Foreign Affairs Minister at the African Union meeting in Addis Ababa today. He added that the Botswana High Commission in Zimbabwe is working hard to secure a defence lawyer for the three officers. He said the lawyer will apply for bail today. He was hoping that the officers would be granted bail to return home to face trial.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up