- they were arrested while in transit to South Africa
Francistown Magistrate’s Court turned into a wailing house this Monday when 11 undocumented Ethiopians arrested while in transit to South Africa begged to be sent to Dukwi Refugee camp and not back home.
Five of the Ethiopian nationals broke down in tears when Principal Magistrate Thapelo Buang informed them their case could not proceed because the court had not managed to locate an Amharic interpreter.
“You case cannot proceed because an interpreter conversant with court jargon has not been found. Until court is able to secure an Amharic interpreter you will remain remanded,” explained Buang.
Confused and disappointed, the undocumented Ethiopians repeatedly asked the Magistrate where they will be taken to.
“From here, where are we being taken to? Are we going to back to prison? Please do not take us back there. We would rather go to the refugee camp than go to prison or back home,” begged 21-year-old Efrem Shoromo.
“Since we have failed to get to South Africa where we hoped to get jobs, the refugee camp will be better than prison or Ethiopia. Do not deport us back home,” continued Shoromo, wiping tears from his eyes.
Magistrate Buang said he could not grant them that request as they had been arrested and charged for entering the country unlawfully, an offence which is punishable by law.
The men aged between 40 and 19 were intercepted by police on their final lap of their trek to South Africa in search of employment.
The Ethiopians nationals were arrested separately with the first group nabbed at Tati siding roadblock on 5th of this month while the other one of five was nabbed along the A3 highway just before Obed Itani Chilume stadium. This followed after the vehicle they were hitching a ride in broke down and police stopped to question the driver Goitsemodimo Tladi (38) what was wrong with the motor vehicle.
When apprehended the Ethiopians were in the company of Kenneth Kegakilwe (36) a resident of Bontleng in Gaborone, Koketso Radiporo also 36 who hails from Serowe, female taxi driver Keneilwe Moatswi (43) from Flower town, Kazungula and 43-year-old Abdullah Bakiide, a tailor from Uganda.
The quartet who are suspected to be transporting and facilitating the safe passage of the Ethiopians were charged with aiding and baiting the illegal immigrants. Case continues on the 19th of next month.
