Zimbabwean jailed in Botswana for ‘smuggling’ children; passport fee hike blamed for illegal crossings

By Own Correspondent and Botswana media

A 23-YEAR-OLD Zimbabwean man was last week jailed in Botswana on charges of child “smuggling” with the magistrate noting that “the cycle of suffering continues when schools reopen”.

Arnold Nyoni was convicted on his own guilty plea and sentenced to one year in prison.

He appeared to have been transporting to Botswana and South Africa, children visiting their parents for the August school holidays.

More than one million Zimbabweans live in South Africa and other neighbouring countries, many of them illegally, having moved over the past 15 years to escape economic turmoil back home.

As schools in Zimbabwe close for recess, a surge in child “smuggling” has emerged as the children travel to South Africa to visit their parents, with Botswana becoming a key transit route.

The children are often undocumented and cross the borders using illegal routes.

“The cycle of suffering continues when schools reopen. These children are then compelled to undertake the treacherous journey to Zimbabwe,” said Francistown Magistrate, Tshepo Magetse, when delivering sentence.

Nyoni’s luck ran out when he was nabbed while filling up at a petrol station in Matsiloje with four minor children aged between 9 and 15 years in his Hilux vehicle on August 2nd.

After his conviction, Nyoni pleaded with court to be lenient with him.

“I am sorry I will not repeat the offence. It was my first time committing an offence. I am the breadwinner, so if I’m taken to prison no one will take care of my family,” he said.

The magistrate indicated that smuggling of a person is a charge that attracts a sentence of a fine not exceeding US$15,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years or both.

“It must be noted that the accused sought for the court to show mercy when sentencing him and that he pleaded for a non-custodial sentencing,” said the magistrate.

“The fact that he pleaded guilty is a sign that on his own will, he acknowledged that his conduct was wrong, and all the parents took responsibility for accused person actions as they are the ones who asked him to transport and smuggle them.

Magistrate Magetse added that parents of the children complained of the high fees charged for passports in Zimbabwe.

He said they pleaded with court to impress Botswana government to intervene by urging the Zimbabwe government to reduce the cost of procuring passports as it is the main cause of child smuggling.

Zimbabweans living in South Africa recently staged a protest in Pretoria over the cost of passports.

The Harare government has increased the cost of an ordinary passport from US$53 to US$318, sparking widespread outrage.

This substantial fee hike has added financial strain on Zimbabweans, who already face economic difficulties.

The protest was organised by various diaspora groups and activists, with participants chanting slogans and carrying placards condemning the fee increase.