/ 11 March 1999

ASYLUM SEEKERS GO HOME

FIVE Namibian asylum seekers were voluntarily repatriated to their country on Tuesday ahead of Namibian President Sam Nujoma’s two-day state visit to Botswana which begins Wednesday, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The five people, airlifted to the Namibian capital Windhoek, were the first people to declare their intention to go back home since the visit of Namibian Home Affairs Minister Jarry Ekandjo a fortnight ago. At least 2500 asylum seekers at Dukwi refugee camp — 600km north of the capital Gaborone — who crossed into Botswana from the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. Their move last year followed the Namibian Defence Force’s efforts to uproot a minor secessionist movement in the area.