KASANE - Zimbabwe has released Botswana government properties, which it had impounded when police arrested three wildlife scouts at Lesoma last month.

 

The properties, which included a government vehicle and two fire arms were not released when the scouts, who had been in police custody, were released on February 8.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani, expressed happiness that the Zimbabwean government decided to return what belonged to Botswana.

We are very thankful that they have finally seen the importance of giving us what is really ours, he said.

However, Mr Skelemani explained that talks should be held between the two countries to decide the way forward concerning the border line between the two countries at Lesoma.

He noted that it should be made clear as to what would happen if another incident of this kind occurs.

He said the appeal, which was raised by the Zimbabwean authorities has since been dropped and the officers who arrived safely on February 9 were no longer declared prohibited immigrants in Zimbabwe.

The three wildlife officers had mistakenly crossed in Zimbabwe while on duty near Lesoma in Chobe on January 19 and released on February 8 following a conviction for using ungazetted points to enter Zimbabwe.

The Hwange Regional Magistrate Court near Victory Falls fined each officer US$100, which has since been paid. BOPA