24 Sep 2019

Namibia ambassador to Botswana, Mr Asser Kapere has pleaded with Baherero and Ovanderu who have shown interest in relocating voluntarily to Namibia to be patient because the repatriation process was slow.

He said his office was still waiting a report from Botswana government to appreciate resolutions made during the meeting addressed by  a delegation from Namibia last year to appraise the group on the progress of the repatriation exercise and decisions by Namibian government.

Therefore, he pleaded with the group to wait patiently and explained the applications for Namibian citizenship and renunciation of Botswana citizenship by Baherero and Ovanderu of Namibian descent in Botswana.

Once the report is available, he said, it would assist them to resolve the issue. 

He assured the concerned group that both governments were willing to ensure a smooth facilitation of the process.

Further, Mr Kapere acknowledged that there had been a delay regarding the repatriation process, but explained that both governments had to follow the right procedure to finalise the exercise. 

He called for cooperation between all the parties and ensure the issue was handled with care and respect, saying there was no need to point fingers if there were challenges.

Ngamiland District commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego also acknowleged that the process had delayed, saying the exercise dated back to 2013. 

He said they had learnt that some members of the concerned group had left to Namibia because they felt the exercise was stalling.

Despite the delay, he informed the concerned group that Botswana did not object to their request to relocate, hence its efforts in facilitating the exercise.

Mr Leipego stressed the need to follow procedure if they wanted to apply for citizenship and renounce Botswana citizenship. 

With regard to the report, he said he would follow the issue.

Earlier on some members of the concerned group accused both governments for taking long to finalise the repatriation exercise. 

They said the report should have long been submitted as the meeting was held towards the end of the year. 

The chairperson of the repatriation committee, Mr Justice Muinjo expressed disappointment to learn that the meeting was meant to inform the group on the procedure to apply for citizenship and renunciation of Botswana citizenship, saying they knew that the meeting was aimed to give them opportunity to apply for Namibian citizenship and renunciations of Botswana citizenship.

He said in their letter to the Namibian embassy, they indicated that some elderly could not travel to Gaborone to process the application and invited relevant authorities from both governments to bring services to the people.

He also complained that the exercise of repatriation had dragged for seven years and some members had already sold their belongings as they were readying to go.

“We have been ready since 2013 when the exercise started and some of us sold livestock, boreholes and other property and now they are left homeless and empty handed. 

This is a painful situation as we thought today we would be applying for citizenship in Namibia,” he added.

Mr Muinjo said it seemed both governments were not ready to facilitate the repatriation exercise and called on them to up their game as they wanted to leave as soon as possible. Ends