BOTSWANA police last week arrested and deported 23 illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe in the mining town of Selibe Phikwe. Report By STAFF REPORTER
Two of them claimed to be refugees fleeing alleged persecution back home.
Botshabelo Police Station commander Superintendent Reuben Mphoeng was quoted as saying police had conducted a raid and arrested Zimbabweans who did not have any identification papers.
“We conducted the operation together with other law enforcing agencies — being the Department of Immigration, Botswana Defence Force, Selebi-Phikwe Town Council By-Law officers and the Department of Labour,” he said.
He said five Batswana nationals were also arrested and fined for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, Selibe Phikwe Police Station commander Superintendent Victor Nlebesi has expressed concern over the increase in car thefts in the copper mining town, which is being blamed on illegal immigrants.
He said since the beginning of the month, three vehicles had been stolen in the town. Two of the vehicles are still missing, while one was found abandoned.
Police are following leads on a syndicate that is suspected to be behind the thefts.
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Nlebesi urged the public to assist with information that could lead to the arrest of suspects.
