20 Oct 2015

Lobatse High Court has ordered government not to remove Eritrean national football team members who are seeking asylum in Botswana.

Justice Godfey Radijeng passed the order after the matter was brought to court by South Africa- based, Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights. Justice Dijeng also set December 11 for the status hearing and ordered all parties in the case to file all pleadings before the set date.

He further ordered that the applicants should have access to the asylum seekers.

Ten Eritrean national football team members who were part of the football team that played against the Zebras during a World Cup qualifying game in Francistown a week ago, had presented themselves to government officials at Francistown Central Police Station seeking asylum. Attorneys Dick Bayford and Carlos Salbany represented the applicants while Attorneys, Ms Thato Mujaji and Mr Otlaadisa Kwape represented the state. Ends