Asylum seekers fear abduction by CIO agents in Botswana

By Tichaona Sibanda
18 July 2005

Five asylum seekers in Botswana are accusing the police in that country for failing to provide them with adequate security against suspected security agents from Zimbabwe.

Themba Nkosi our Bulawayo correspondent was in Botswana on Saturday and was briefed of the security concerns of the five asylum seekers.

Suspected Central Intelligence Organisation agents have been threatening the group with death, since their escape to Botswana at the height of the war veterans' violent campaign against white farmers and their sympathisers.

Two of the asylum seekers said they are living in constant fear of being abducted by CIO agents. There is deep suspicion Harare unleashed a good number of agents into Botswana to trace and monitor the activities of exiled MDC followers.

Themba Nkosi said a number of Zimbabweans have allegedly been abducted and tortured inside Botswana. A few are still missing after being reported missing.