Zim embassy blasts Skelemani

The statement denies recent remarks made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Phandu Skelemani that he unsuccessfully made several attempts to contact his counterpart in Zimbabwe over the arrest of three officers of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks who accidentally crossed into Zimbabwe last month. The officers were jailed until a magistrate court released them last Tuesday.

“The Ministry would, on contrary, wish to point out that Minister Mumbengegwi was out of the country during that time and only returned on February 2, 2010. During the time that the Minister was away, he never received any communication from his Botswana counterpart. Upon his return to Harare, there was no indication either, of any communication from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana,” the statement reads.