28 Feb 2016

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, says the just ended Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) between Botswana and Zimbabwe was a success.

In an interview upon arrival from Zimbabwe where the meeting was held last week, Mr Kgathi said the commission reviewed progress on implementation of the resolutions made in 2014.

They also considered various issues in areas of defence, state and public security.  

Hee said the Botswana delegation that comprised Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu, and the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse, also raised the issue of illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe and showed their Zimbabwean counterparts the number of those serving prison terms in Botswana.

He said delegates emphasised the need to fast-track the development and adoption of prisoners exchange programme, which would enable foreign offenders from both countries to finish their prison sentences in their own countries.  

Meanwhile a communiqué issued at the end of the session emphasised that in the area of public security, the commission noted with satisfaction the cooperation among departments as they dealt with vices that included, among others, smuggling, theft of motor vehicles, cattle rustling, irregular migration, human trafficking, trafficking of precious minerals, drugs and other forms of transnational organised crime.       

The commission acknowledged the immense benefits derived by Botswana and Zimbabwe from the five-year joint Foot and Mouth Control Programme that would expire on July 31. The commission noted the need to review the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and renew it for a further five year period. 

On one hand the commission commended the government of Botswana for successfully providing anti-retroviral drugs to foreign prisoners.

 It further noted with concern the decimation of wildlife through the use of deadly and cruel methods such as cyanide poisoning, which was affecting the entire ecosystem. 

With regard to defence, the commission observed the need for coordinated patrols along the common border as well as establishing effective communication links.

The commission also underscored the need for joint military training exercises in various fields of mutual interest including hosting of joint sporting and cultural activities at national and regional/provincial levels.

In the meantime, the commission noted the progress made on the reaffirmation of the International Border between Botswana and Zimbabwe and encouraged responsible authorities to conclude the exercise with a view to meet the African Union Border Reaffirmation Programme deadline of 2017. 

With regard to regional security, the commission expressed concern over the continued instances of instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and political impasse in Lesotho and hoped for a speedy resolution to all issues impending democratic principles. It also expressed hope that the government of Mozambique and RENAMO would continue to make efforts to reach out to each other.ENDS