Botswana’s new president, Duma Boko in an exclusive interview vowed to legalise undocumented Zimbabwean migrants noting that they perform jobs that otherwise not get done.He noted that the economy can not rely on the diamond industry only.
In an exclusive interview recently, Botswana’s Presidnet Duma Dideon Boko promised to legalise undocumented Zimbabweans by granting them temporary work and residence permits.
He noted « they come in and are undocumented. Then their access to amenities is limited, if it is available at all, and what they then do is they live outside the law and they commit crimes and this brings resentment »
Botswana according to reports, hosts the world’s second largest community of Zimbabweans fleeing the hyperinflation which crushed the economy of their country two decades ago. The number of Zimbabweans in Botswana is not known however, thousands have been coming back and forth.
President Boko highlighted that his initiative serves as an opportunity for his countrymen to learn basic skills, like welding and plumbing from Zimbabweans noting that the economy can not rely on diamond only.
Boko who founded the umbrella for democratic change(UDC) party in 2013 says his intention is to break down barriers and make sure everybody has easy access and also bring ideas and suggestions to the table .
Following his promise to improve the economy, he noted that his first move is to sign new accord with global diamond giant de beers. He said with diamond revenues assured, investors would have confidence in botswana which would bring in money to the country and will eventually assist his objective to great 100,000 jobs a year over the next five years.
Boko was inaugurated on Friday Following his historic win last week which unseated the party governing Botswana since 1966.
