News / Africa
Who is Alfred Khumalo, the 96 year old deportee?
22 Aug 2013 at 11:44hrs | Views
Sebina Kgosi assisted Khumalo to process citizenship papers in 2004
SELEBI-PHIKWE: While to the government of Botswana Alfred Khumalo was just an illegal immigrant and deserved to be kicked out, to some he was a father figure. A member of the community, Tumalano Keothokile, said his children regarded Khumalo as their grandfather and the decision to deport him has traumatised them. He said the old man who was also known as "Matenge", sometimes stayed with the family. He revealed that he once stayed with the family after he had undergone eye surgery and needed someone to take care of him. Keothokile said the old man only returned to his house after recuperating.
Mmegi caught up with one of the owners of the yard where Khumalo stayed in Botshabelo Location. But the woman, who did not want her name to be revealed, said she did not want to be caught up in the matter. But it was not before she whispered that Khumalo was her late husband's friend and he was the one who gave Khumalo a place to stay. She also said she did not have enough information about where exactly Khumalo originated from because she only met him in 2008. She referred all questions to Kgosi Kgakanyane Sebina, saying he was the one who knew Khumalo better.
The old man is said to have been earning a living as a cobbler and was practicing as a traditional doctor. According to a supporting letter written by Kgosi Sebina, dated April 19, 2004, he helped Khumalo process his citizenship application forms. Khumalo is said to have arrived in Botswana in 1943 and lived in Francistown until 1948."In 1949, Khumalo relocated to Sebina village where he stayed until 1957. He then went back to Francistown where he stayed until 1987. Khumalo then proceeded to Selebi-Phikwe in 1988," reads the letter.
Meanwhile, Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi told Mmegi that once government has taken a decision, there is nothing that can be done to change it. He explained that although he doesn't support people who break the laws of the land, he did not expect the officials to transport a sick old man in the back of a van. He said the immigration officials should have transported Khumalo in an ambulance since they had taken him from a hospital bed. Mmolotsi wondered if the Immigration Act also states that a person being deported should be transported in a van despite their condition.
"It is shocking the way the 96-year old was treated by the government of this country. Investigations were not done properly. They did not interview people who have known Khumalo since his arrival in the country.Only two people who met him recently were interviewed. The officials did not even travel to Sebina village to get more information about Khumalo," said Mmolotsi. He said if the officials had kind hearts they should have treated Khumalo better instead of treating him like a 'dog'. All hell broke loose for Khumalo on July 30 when a social worker called the immigration office in Selebi-Phikwe to say that a patient who had been admitted at the Selebi-Phikwe Government Hospital from July 23 had been discharged on July 29 but he (the patient) remained in hospital because he had nowhere to go and he did not have identity documents.
Mmegi caught up with one of the owners of the yard where Khumalo stayed in Botshabelo Location. But the woman, who did not want her name to be revealed, said she did not want to be caught up in the matter. But it was not before she whispered that Khumalo was her late husband's friend and he was the one who gave Khumalo a place to stay. She also said she did not have enough information about where exactly Khumalo originated from because she only met him in 2008. She referred all questions to Kgosi Kgakanyane Sebina, saying he was the one who knew Khumalo better.
The old man is said to have been earning a living as a cobbler and was practicing as a traditional doctor. According to a supporting letter written by Kgosi Sebina, dated April 19, 2004, he helped Khumalo process his citizenship application forms. Khumalo is said to have arrived in Botswana in 1943 and lived in Francistown until 1948."In 1949, Khumalo relocated to Sebina village where he stayed until 1957. He then went back to Francistown where he stayed until 1987. Khumalo then proceeded to Selebi-Phikwe in 1988," reads the letter.
Meanwhile, Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi told Mmegi that once government has taken a decision, there is nothing that can be done to change it. He explained that although he doesn't support people who break the laws of the land, he did not expect the officials to transport a sick old man in the back of a van. He said the immigration officials should have transported Khumalo in an ambulance since they had taken him from a hospital bed. Mmolotsi wondered if the Immigration Act also states that a person being deported should be transported in a van despite their condition.
"It is shocking the way the 96-year old was treated by the government of this country. Investigations were not done properly. They did not interview people who have known Khumalo since his arrival in the country.Only two people who met him recently were interviewed. The officials did not even travel to Sebina village to get more information about Khumalo," said Mmolotsi. He said if the officials had kind hearts they should have treated Khumalo better instead of treating him like a 'dog'. All hell broke loose for Khumalo on July 30 when a social worker called the immigration office in Selebi-Phikwe to say that a patient who had been admitted at the Selebi-Phikwe Government Hospital from July 23 had been discharged on July 29 but he (the patient) remained in hospital because he had nowhere to go and he did not have identity documents.
Source - mneng
