Game rangers free, but rift widens between Zimbabwe and Botswana
Posted by ZDN on February 10, 2010
Zimbabwe has, in an abominable act of political heresy, made an enemy of its neighbour Botswana.
The arrest and detention of three Botswana game rangers that inadvertently strayed onto Zimbabwe territory has swiftly deepened the rift between the once friendly nations, and placed Botswana on the offensive.
“The Government of Botswana wishes to express its deepest disappointment over the detention of the three wildlife officers in Zimbabwe, despite attempts at finding an amicable diplomatic solution,” a statement issued by Botswana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry read.
In a clear threat of military retaliation, Botswana recalled its defence and intelligence attaches last Friday. The country is demanding Zimbabwe do the same, by recalling its own military attaches from Gaborone by the end of the month.
This decision came after weeks of haggling the Zimbabwe government to deal with the issue diplomatically. But phone calls and visits with various Zimbabwean ministers and officials went unheeded.
“These phone calls remain unreturned, giving the impression that the Government of Zimbabwe does not want to discuss this issue with Botswana,” the Botswana government said.
In a final attempt, Botswana’s Vice-President Lieutenant General Mompati Merafhe tried to meet President Robert Mugabe at the recent African Union (AU) meeting Ethiopia, but he was allegedly brushed aside.
The game rangers were arrested three weeks ago after accidentally crossing into Zimbabwe as they tracked lions that had killed some cattle in a village on the Botswana-Zimbabwe border. They were each fined US$100 Monday after being found guilty of unlawful entry into Zimbabwe, but were acquitted on charges of weapons smuggling and for carrying “arms of war.”
The officers were allegedly carrying one shotgun and one rifle, rendering the charges against them not only ludicrous but a disgrace. As if making headlines for torture, corruption, murder, frivolous government-spending and election-pilfering were not enough, the government further tarnishes its already rotten image with an avoidable international incident such this.
But Zimbabwe’s deplorable treatment of its neighbour comes as no surprise. In the past, these game rangers would have been treated as equals and as guests, and not as criminals. But ever since Botswana’s president Ian Khama came into power in April 2008, he’s assumed the position of Mugabe’s most vocal critic in the region, a fact that would likely not sit well with the ever-proud and stubborn Mugabe. So like an angry child, he threw his toys.
“This whole scenario is really just a perpetuation of the strained relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe,” said Judy Smith-Höhn, an expert in Zimbabwean affairs at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
But the incident is also a glaring indication of the paranoia and official ‘state of alertness’ that has been placed on all Zimbabwe government forces. It raises the alarming possibility that game wardens are now being co-opted as border guards. Is the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority now under control of Armed Forces Commander Constantin Chiwenga? Does Chiwenga think we are in a state of war against Botswana? That could now turn out to be a reality as a result of this incident.
It is appalling that a country trying to extricate itself from economic and political collapse would damage its tenuous foreign relations to this degree. A public apology to Botswana is called for, as well as compensation to the game scouts for wrongful arrest and detention.
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02-11-2010
3:11 am
Lionel Nyoni
This incident only shows the disregard the Mugabe thugs have for human rights. These people are ruthless and are looking for a fight to prop up their waning popularity. The sooner they all go the better for the whole region and Africa too.
02-14-2010
1:13 pm
T.C.Ndipapo
The Southern African region has chosen to cast a blind eye on Mugabe’s obstinency and poor human rights record, now they must be ready for bombs to fly and destablise the whole region.Dont forget diamonds are now available in Zimbabwe to be traded for weapons.China and Iran are willing trade partners.