"It's Safe To Return": Govt Assures Zimbos Who Sought Refuge In Botswana Due To Political Violence

Minister of Home Affairs and Culture, Obert Mpofu has assured Zimbabweans who sought refuge in Botswana after escaping the political violence that characterised the 2008 election re-run period, that it is safe to return home.

Mpofu said he recently visited Botswana and met the Zimbabweans who want assurances that they will not be attacked again. He said Government was working with Botswana and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to repatriate the refugees. Said Mpofu

There are about 686 Zimbabweans who sought refuge in Botswana. I saw most of them and they mainly hail from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo and just a few from other provinces such as Midlands. Most of them left the country in 2008. They said they left the country escaping political violence during the election re-run period. These people say they want to return home but feared for their safety. They want some assurances. Some of them said their homes have been destroyed and are seeking assistance to rebuild them. I’m constantly in touch with some of them. Some of them are already coming. But we want this thing to be organised. We are working in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Botswana government

More: Chronicle