
Botswana, which has for close to three decades been a safe haven for many Somali, Namibians, Zimbabweans and other nationalities, is planning to toughen the Refugee (Recognition and Control) Act to deal with a growing disorder in the refugee camp. While the government through the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security has been doing everything within its power to ensure maximum protection of both asylum seekers and refugees, the current administration is of the belief some are abusing the courtesy extended to them. Humanitarian organisations such as United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Organisation for International Migration (IOM) have been calling for more sympathy on displaced immigrants, a call that the government has heeded for years. However, some of the refugees and asylum seekers have not been abiding by the laws and government is fighting back by tightening rules. Refugees and asylum seekers are housed at Dukwi Refugee Camp in the central district. Minister Shaw Kgathi is seeking absolute powers to revoke refugee status of those who do flout the laws of the country. He did not mince his words in confirming his already advanced intentions to amend the current refugee law that governs refugees in the country.…