BREAKING BARRIERS
Masisi & Mnangagwa defend use of ID as travel document
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has called on Batswana to approach with logic and levelheadedness instead of emotions, the envisaged use national identity cards (Omang & Chitupa) as travel documents between Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Speaking at a media briefing in Maun at the end of a week-long Zimbabwe-botswana Bi-national Commission (BNC) on Friday last week, Masisi noted the establishment of a one-stop border post to enhance regional cooperation and integration.
“The question is: are we not worried about the influx of Zimbabweans for them to use IDS to cross into Botswana? There is a broken logic here. The use of IDS does not positively correlate with in-fluxing because there is still a filter. What it does is, it provides a great opportunity for more people to travel legally, there is still a border that they have to cross,” Masisi explained.
The president went on to reveal that there was ongoing positive consultation and exchanges between the two governments about what is required, instruments to be used, etcetera, just as Botswana recently did with Namibia.
“As leaders, we have expressed the desire to do this because it is a long-standing resolution, an intention as pronounced by SADC and by EU. So, we don’t claim to own it or to be the originators of this, we are the deliverer of it. So, when those consultations are complete and the testing of the integrity of the the use of such is complete, we will let you know and invite you to the ceremony where we will celebrate it,” said Masisi.
Masisi and his counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, announced their intention to create ease of movement between the two countries last year and the announcement, which was received with mixed reaction, has since sparked cross-border debate of the matter.
“When you look at the crimes we are subjected to, many, even gender-based crimes, are committed by citizens. So, I want to converse with you, my citizens, and make you realise that this use of the ID (identity documents/cards) as travel documents does not mean we are inviting trouble,” said Masisi.
He further explained that laws are in place to keep everybody, irrespective of nationality, from committing crime: “And if they do, the law takes its course, so let’s be logical when we talk about those and not let emotions of recent experiences and perhaps xenophobic inclinations take over,” the president cautioned.
He highlighted that Batswana and their country are not known for xenophobia and further urged the media to foster discussion on the subject of regional integration,
“The president (Mnangangwa) has observed earlier on here that we are a peaceful nation of Africa, that is an attitude we want to keep, so I urge you as members of the fourth estate to foster discussion on this and make sure we are informed by the principle of it. Otherwise I would like to ask you, when SADC declared its determination to integrate, when AU declared the same, where were you? Why didn’t you raise this and single out Zimbabweans; and say, we don’t want Zimbabweans, and state why? You know that when you cross the border and eat Zimbabwean mangoes and dance to their music, you don’t remember that you don’t want them. You people must be honest!’’
Masisi went on to decry what he termed ‘a sudden attitude change towards Zimbabweans when not so long ago, during the liberation struggle, Batswana readily accepted and opened doors to refugees from that country’.
“Sometimes, because you have had a bad experience from somebody who happens to be Zimbabwean, you then make an unfair generalisation; you say, no, I don’t want Zimbabweans. We want Namibians because we haven’t interacted with them in a way that we don’t like but, you know what, in all societies, there are good people, honest people, there are dishonest people and bad people even among your own Batswana,” Masisi cautioned.
For his part, Mnangagwa noted that the onus to build a united and flourishing economy for the Southern African community and the whole of the African region depends on regional integration underpinned by free movement of people, services and goods. “Investors and partners should come on board to compliment our development priorities, not theirs, and they must never dictate to us,” said Mnangagwa.
The President of Zimbabwe went on to emphasise the urgency for the two countries to implement their vision of becoming a borderless community. “The vision must be realised. It must not remain a statement by my brother and myself when you people continue to hang on to the old ways of doing things.”
“You know that when you cross the border and eat Zimbabwean mangoes and dance to their music , you don’t remember that you don’t want them.’’