THE Botswana government has rejected social media reports that it was shutting down its embassy in Zimbabwe and considering introducing a visa regime for citizens of its eastern neighbour.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
In a statement yesterday, Botswana’s Foreign minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi denied making such remarks on Zimbabwe.
“The Ministry of International Affairs and Co-operation wishes to respond to the recent text message doing the rounds on social media alleging that the Minister of International Affairs and Co-operation, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, made some remarks on the state of relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana, purporting, among others, visa imposition on Zimbabweans and closure of the Botswana embassy in Harare,” the statement said.
Botswana leader Ian Khama is a lone voice in the region, who repeatedly points out President Robert Mugabe’s excesses at a time most neighbouring countries have resorted to “quiet diplomacy”.
Personal relations between Mugabe and Khama have at best remained “frosty”, according to commentators.
But the statement indicated Khama’s government retains “excellent relations” with Mugabe’s administration.
“We wish to categorically refute this fabricated story, whose origin remains a mystery. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi was never recently interviewed by any reporter on Botswana’s relations with Zimbabwe,” the statement continued.
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“Given the damning nature of the story, the ministry queried the origin of the story and in response, the Mmegi newspaper unequivocally dissociated itself from the story.
“The Mmegi newspaper further disclosed that they do not have any association with a reporter by the name of Kgomotso Duma.
“The ministry, therefore, wishes to advise the general public to dismiss this story as it is a figment of the author’s imagination.
“Botswana and Zimbabwe continue to enjoy excellent relations. This has been clearly demonstrated by the recent convening of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security between the two countries in Gaborone, Botswana on May 29 to June 2, 2017.”
