19 Jul 2018

A group of Baherero and Ovanderu who had shown interest to be repatriated have urged Botswana and Namibia governments to fast track the repatriation to Namibia which they requested in 2013.

The group met  in Tsau with Ngamiland district commissioner seeking answers as to what could be the cause of the delay.

Last year January, the secretary of the repatriation committee, Mr Kaaya Koruyezu confirmed that over 1 000 people registered for repatriation while waiting for government to make final decision regarding their plea.

The district commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego confirmed in an interview that indeed the concerned group organised a meeting in which they demanded answers as to why the repatriation process was taking long.

He said they complained that it had been five years since they made a request to be repatriated and admitted that the process had taken too long. The district commissioner said Botswana had not received concrete response from Namibia and efforts were made to complete all the tasks assigned by the National Steering Committee with regard to repatriation.

As the district, he said  they were requested to conduct a re-registration exercise of those who had shown willingness to go back to Namibia together with their livestock.

He said the exercise had long been completed and a list had been submitted to the national committee.

However, Mr Leipego highlighted that they had agreed with the group to organise another meeting where the national committee would be invited so that they got answers and clarity on the issue.

He said the group demanded that a representative from the Namibian embassy be invited to the meeting. ENDS