PLUMTREE - Hundreds Zimbabwean teachers were last week deported from Botswana for working without proper documents.
It is estimated that more than 500 teachers are currently working in Botswana government schools and private colleges. Last week Botswana police went on rampage raiding both government and private schools arresting Zimbabwean teachers based in that country accusing them of either working without work permits or for holding expired work permits. Hundreds of the teachers were deported back home on Thursday last week and dumped at the Plumtrree border post.
“My work permit expired in April this year and I have since re- applied but besides that I was arrested and harassed by Botswana police. Together with colleagues we were thrown into filth police cells without food or water for six days,”Amon Nyoni a Zimbabwean teacher based in the town of Maun told The Zimbabwean. Nyoni had been working in Botswana for the past five years without problems. His arrest and deportation shocked him.
Vaida Zhou another affected teacher said: “They no longer need our services in that country since they have hired a lot of European and Cuban expatriate teachers.” A senior officer based at International Organisation for Migration (IOM) offices at Plumtree border, told The Zimbabwean that “they have been an increase in the number professionals who include doctors and teachers deported from Botswana in the past week.”

By The Zimbabwean