17 Dec 2023

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its consular services assist with the repatriation of Batswana who have died abroad whenever the deaths are reported to the diplomatic missions.

Answering a question in Parliament, the Assistant Minister for State President Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu said the office was aware of the eight reported cases of Batswana who died and were buried in foreign countries.

“Accordingly, Batswana are assisted to repatriate deceased family members for proper burial in Botswana. Assisting families of a Motswana who dies abroad is integral to the consular services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Mr Mthimkhulu.

He said when death was reported to the relevant mission, the ministry engaged the family of the deceased to provide the necessary support in line with the regulations of the foreign country.

He said in a case whereby the family of a Motswana who has died abroad wished to be assisted, the family would be required to appoint a local representative in the respective country to facilitate the repatriation of the body.

He said depending on the country where the body was, the family of the deceased would among other documents be requested to produce the passport of the deceased, death certificate, certificate of non-contagious (non-epidemic) infection, conveyance of dead bodies form, burial order from the family, embalming certificate and the import/export permit from Botswana Unified Revenue Services

Gaborone Bonnington South MP, Mr Christian Greeff had asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs if he was aware that there were many Batswana who died and were buried in foreign countries and that some Batswana were longing for their loved ones to be repatriated into the country for proper burial.ENDS