'Hate campaign' a big concern

2004-04-22 20:49

Gaborone - Botswana has expressed growing concern at what it terms a media campaign in Zimbabwe to foster hatred and xenophobia between Botswana and Zimbabweans.

Botswana denied that its friendship with the United Kingdom and United States signified it was part of moves to topple the government of Zimbabwe.

A ministry of foreign affairs statement on Thursday has singled out reports, most recently in the Bulawayo Chronicle, alleging the forced whipping and killing of Zimbabweans, and saying "It is time to act against Botswana."

Said the statement: "They are systematic and deliberate attempts to fuel hatred."

Botswana and Zimbabwe enjoyed long standing cordial relations which have been enhanced by formal structures of co-operation - "the Joint Permanent Commissions on Co-operation and on Defence and Security are characterised by frank and transparent discussions which have served both our countries well," it says.

Botswana, like Zimbabwe, was free to choose its friends.

"Cordial relationships with the US and UK do not imply hostility towards Zimbabwe," the statement says.

In November last year, some Zimbabweans in Botswana had been whipped after being found guilty by a court in Botswana.

Whipping was provided for in the law and applied to all residents of Botswana.

Most of those sentenced to it were given the option of a fine, but Zimbabweans almost always chose the corporal punishment.

"They then report to their embassy that they have been tortured," the statement says. The reports presented no evidence of Zimbabweans being killed in Botswana.

- SAPA