Tensions rise over Gaborone's new border fence

The government of Botswana says it will complete the erection of a 2.4 metre high electric fence stretching along 500 km of its border with Zimbabwe, despite the objections of its neighbour. Botswana government officials described as malicious comments made by the Zimbabwean high commissioner to Botswana, Phelekeza Mphoko, who said last week that "Botswana is trying to create a Gaza Strip" by putting up the fence. So far, over 167 km of the game-proof fence has been erected along the border. Mompati Merafhe, minister of foreign affairs and international co-operation, explained that Botswana has "had a problem with Zimbabwean illegal immigrants and cattle crossing the border spreading foot-and-mouth disease". "We are not closing borders with Zimbabwe, there are gazetted points of entry. The [construction of the] fence will continue," he added. The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which authorities believe originated from Zimbabwe, was first detected by officials from the Department of Animal Health in the Matopi area close to the border with Zimbabwe in January 2003. About 3,800 head of cattle were slaughtered in order to contain its spread. However, some law enforcement officals are increasingly sceptical of the effectiveness of the fence as a barrier against potential border jumpers seeking to escape Zimbabwe's deepening economic and political crisis. "We have cases of vandalism along the border. Some people cut the fence, and we have cases where parts of the fence have been recovered from Zimbabwe," said Botswana police spokesman Soloman Mantswe. He said the police had "intensified patrols along the border". Beef exports from Botswana depend on the control of foot-and-mouth disease. In 2001 beef exports were worth well over Pula 350 million (about US $72.2 million) to the country. The rising animosity between officials from both countries has not been helped by reports of growing xenophobia among Batswana. Residents of Tlokweng, a small village outside the capital Gaborone, recently decided to expel Zimbabweans, derogatively referred to as 'makwerekwere' (foreigners), after a spate of burglaries and robberies. But Zimabaweans believe the condemnation is unjustified. "Most Zimbabweans are hard-working and law-abiding citizens, who have been displaced by the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe," said Perseviarance Kakwindi, a Zimbabwean journalist now working in Botswana. He believed there was "stigmatisation" of Zimbabweans, "in the sense that every Zimbabwean is now regarded as a thief because of a few unruly people", but also conceded that many Zimbabweans "turned to crime after realising there were so many of them in Botswana" with no job opportunities. Kakwindi suggested that the Batswana should take their government to task for not being vocal enough in its criticism of the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe. "Two, three years ago there was no influx of Zimbabweans into Botswana. Batswana should ask themselves why Zimbabweans are coming into Botswana for good," he said. Officials estimated that 26,717 illegal immigrants were repatriated to Zimbabwe last year.