News / Africa
HEARTLESS... Botswana's attempt to deport Zim shooting victim fails
27 Jan 2014 at 06:37hrs | Views
No arms, no money, no parents and now no place to call home, Gift Ncube is currently being held at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Francistown after efforts to deport him failed.
The Voice reports that Ncube had been receiving treatment at Botswana's Mahalapye hospital up until the order to deport him came on Monday. Ncube, who is an illegal immigrant, was turned back after immigration officials in Zimbabwe refused him entry.
The 23-year-old Zimbabwean, whose story made headlines last November, created worldwide interest when he lost his arms after his brutal employer shot him following a dispute over pay.
The Botswana Government's move to deport Gift Ncube has apparently come as a shock to the Zimbabwe Embassy despite reports that the two countries were in 'high level' talks to regularise his travel documents.
Ncube, who has been in Botswana illegally for the past 10 years, was refused entry at the Plumtree border post after Botswana immigration officials attempted to hand him over to their Zimbabwean counterparts.
It appears that certain documents relating to the transfer were missing as well as a query over arrangements for his return to attend his case once it came to court.
Ncube is currently at the Francistown Centre for Illegal Immigrants awaiting a decision over his fate.
The reasons behind the Botswana Government's decision to rush through his deportation remain unclear after efforts to get an official comment failed prior to our deadline on Wednesday evening.
The young man told The Voice that he does not understand why the authorities have turned their back on him.
"Since you published my story in the paper I have received many offers of help from people here, but although I clearly explained my situation back home all my pleas to stay, at least until the case comes to court, have fallen on the deaf ears of the Botswana government," he said.
Ncube's lawyer Enoch Mazonde said although he understands that his client was still an illegal migrant, he does not see why that was speeding his deportation.
He also pointed to human rights organizations like Ditshwanelo who should stand up to assist Ncube fight for justice.
"The decision is simply conflicting with the pillars of the country's Vision 2016, calling for a compassionate and caring nation," Mazonde said.
While the Zimbabwean Ambassador in Gaborone was not available for an official comment, it appears that the Embassy was not even alerted over Ncube's sudden deportation.
The Voice reports that Ncube had been receiving treatment at Botswana's Mahalapye hospital up until the order to deport him came on Monday. Ncube, who is an illegal immigrant, was turned back after immigration officials in Zimbabwe refused him entry.
The 23-year-old Zimbabwean, whose story made headlines last November, created worldwide interest when he lost his arms after his brutal employer shot him following a dispute over pay.
The Botswana Government's move to deport Gift Ncube has apparently come as a shock to the Zimbabwe Embassy despite reports that the two countries were in 'high level' talks to regularise his travel documents.
Ncube, who has been in Botswana illegally for the past 10 years, was refused entry at the Plumtree border post after Botswana immigration officials attempted to hand him over to their Zimbabwean counterparts.
It appears that certain documents relating to the transfer were missing as well as a query over arrangements for his return to attend his case once it came to court.
Ncube is currently at the Francistown Centre for Illegal Immigrants awaiting a decision over his fate.
The reasons behind the Botswana Government's decision to rush through his deportation remain unclear after efforts to get an official comment failed prior to our deadline on Wednesday evening.
The young man told The Voice that he does not understand why the authorities have turned their back on him.
"Since you published my story in the paper I have received many offers of help from people here, but although I clearly explained my situation back home all my pleas to stay, at least until the case comes to court, have fallen on the deaf ears of the Botswana government," he said.
Ncube's lawyer Enoch Mazonde said although he understands that his client was still an illegal migrant, he does not see why that was speeding his deportation.
He also pointed to human rights organizations like Ditshwanelo who should stand up to assist Ncube fight for justice.
"The decision is simply conflicting with the pillars of the country's Vision 2016, calling for a compassionate and caring nation," Mazonde said.
While the Zimbabwean Ambassador in Gaborone was not available for an official comment, it appears that the Embassy was not even alerted over Ncube's sudden deportation.
Source - The Voice
