The xenophobic or near-xenophobic attitudes of Botswana, especially towards Zimbabwean documented or undocumented immigrants, is now becoming more apparent as almost every crime that happens is attributed to Zimbabweans. In the past, Botswana have pursued a policy of acceptance and openness towards non-citizens, but of late it appears there is a feeling that there are too many immigrants in the and may exacerbate xenophobic tendencies. Meanwhile, xenophobic attitudes towards fellow Africans are not confined to Botswana. In South Africa, studies have revealed that the situation has assumed gigantic proportions, even occasioning violence against the so-called illegal aliens. The Botswana police have also intensified stop-and-search operations in major villages, arresting undocumented Zimbabwean immigrants and seizing an assortment of weapons in a bid to control the inflow of illegal immigrants into the country. As the country's laws ought to be observed, the official position of the government of Botswana, or at least its informal reaction to the influx of undocumented Zimbabwean immigrants and the resultant xenophobia. Xenophobia tendencies are now well rooted in some countries of the region, which now include Namibia. Such accusations may hamper efforts towards regional integration and lead human rights abuses.

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Botswana violence immigration policy Africa Sub-Saharan Africa illegal immigrant human rights Southern Africa immigrant population