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News editor and freelancer ordered to leave the country
MISA-Botswana
July 29, 2005

On July 27 2005, the News Editor of "Ngami Times" in the north-west of Botswana, Rodrick Mukumbira, was instructed in writing by the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to surrender his work and residence permits to the relevant Immigration departments and leave the country within seven days.

The letter dated May 26, 2005, and faxed more than a month later on July 27, 2005, was written by an officer on behalf of the Permanent Secretary. "I am directed to inform you that the Minister has by powers conferred upon him in terms of the provision of Section 22 (1) of the Immigration Act and Section 8 (1) of the Employment of non-citizen Act cancelled the work and residence permit in your possession," the letter reads in part.

Employment of non-citizens section8(1) reads 'The Minister may at any time by notice in writing served on the holder of a work permit, cancel the work permit or vary the terms thereof or the conditions attached thereto: Provided that such cancellation or variation shall not take effect until the expiry of seven days, or such greater number of days as the Minister may specify in the notice, immediately after the day on which the Minister's notice was served on the holder of the work permit.'

Mukumbira, a Zimbabwean national, told the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana that he was taken aback by the order to have his permits withdrawn two years before they expired, and that no reasons had been given for him to leave the country. Mukumbira has been working for "Ngami Times" for about two years and his work and residence permits will expire in October 2007.

Managing Editor for "Ngami Times" Norman Chandler told MISA Botswana that he too was surprised by the order given to Mukumbira as he (Mukumbira) has been a good employee and law-abiding since his arrival in Botswana. "We are absolutely mystified by this action and we would like to know the reasons given by government for withdrawal of his permits.

Mukumbira has worked for us for over two years now, he is a valued member of staff at Ngami Times," Chandler said. In an interview with MISA Botswana, Chief Immigration Officer Ray Sekgororwane in Gaborone refused to comment on the matter saying that it was at the discretion of the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs to exercise such powers of withdrawing permits of non-citizens.

On reasons for the withdrawal of permits, Sekgororwane said they should have been given to Mukumbira by immigration officers in Maun. Meanwhile, another freelance writer from Maun, Charles Chirinda, was this week ordered to leave the country within seven days.

Chirinda who is a commentator for a local entertainment programme on Botswana Television has lived in Botswana for over eight years. His application for extension of permits was rejected by the Immigration Office in Maun.

MISA Botswana is concerned about such actions and their impact on media freedom and freedom of expression in the country. Such moves come at a time when political leaders in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are talking about seamless borders.

At present individuals are being extracted from countries simply because they are foreigners and arguments for such removal are couched in generalistic terms such as, ". it is no longer in the interest of Botswana that you should have a permit"' [Section 22 (1) (f) of Botswana's Immigration Act].

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