30 Oct 2023

There are at least 36 cases of Batswana facing criminal charges abroad, and most of the offences are immigration-related misdemeanours such as overstaying in a foreign country. 

Director of public diplomacy, research and policy analysis in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Mavis Matenge said Botswana missions continued to encourage Batswana to abide by the laws of their host countries, with a view to reducing the cases. 

She said where necessary, Botswana missions engaged respective governments through diplomatic channels to appeal that the concerned citizens be given a fair trial. 

A case in point was the arrest and detention of a Motswana woman, Ms Lesedi Molapisi in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last year for illegal possession of drugs, and whose case was widely publicised in the local media. 

Molapisi, who was travelling from South Africa, was allegedly found in possession of 3.145kg of heroin. 

Dr Matenge said Molapisi was currently awaiting trail, in that country, which has strict anti-drugs laws and imposes the death penalty on convicts found in possession, use or trafficking of drugs from as little as 25 grammes of heroin or cocaine. 

She said the Botswana High Commission in India was in contact with relevant Bangladeshi authorities regarding assistance and support that could be availed to her. That included visits and maintaining contact with her via phone to appreciate her welfare needs, she said. 

“We are in constant communication with Ms Molapisi by phone. The mission continues to also conduct welfare visits with the most recent taking place in August 2023," she said, adding that she was well and in good health. She could not provide more details about the case as it was before the courts. 

Dr Matenge noted said Botswana and Bangladesh enjoyed good bilateral relations and that the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1993. She added that the cordial relations were characterised by high level exchange visits and development assistance among others. 

The two nations had representation on non-residential basis and that Botswana had an honorary consul based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She also added that in February, the Bangladeshi Minister of Foreign Affairs undertook an official visit to Botswana, and that the two countries signed bilateral agreements on the abolition of visas for diplomatic and official passports as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of political consultations. 

Dr Matenge said the visit also provided an opportunity to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation in commercial areas such as agriculture, export development, promotion of foreign direct investment, small medium and micro enterprises, manufacturing of textiles and garments and the development of the leather industry. 

Botswana currently hosts close to 3 000 Bangladeshi nationals primarily involved in the retail sector. 

Ms Molapisi’s father, Mr Goitsemodimo Molapisi, referred BOPA to the ministry, which he said were better placed as they were dealing with the issue and had been updating the family. 

“I have no direct communication with her, I rely on the ministry,” he said, adding that the ministry had visited his daughter on several occasions. Ends