Kapofi blames undisciplined BDF soldiers for conflict
Defence minister Frans Kapofi has blamed undisciplined Botswana Defence Force (BDF) members for tension between Namibia and that country.
He made the remarks during a staff briefing last week.
“Namibia and Botswana are friendly countries. Some of the things we hear are issues of probably just undisciplined soldiers and I believe the BDF is dealing with these soldiers who just want to keep harassing people for no good reason,” he said.
Chief of defence, Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, added there are mechanisms to deal with ill-disciplined solders.
“We have a complete security system that includes the Namibia Defence Force [NDF], the Namibian Police and so on, and if a case of harassment is reported, we conduct a thorough investigation to determine the truth about the alleged harassment.
“There is no doubt when we meet and discuss these things; we find ways to resolve these issues,” he added.
Joint military exercises
The BDF and NDF will also soon start carrying out joint military exercises along the Namibia-Botswana border to avoid conflict with civilians on the part of both armies, Pinehas said.
“Be assured, the NDF and BDF have good relations. We are also in the process of introducing joint patrols along our common border so we are doing something to make sure unintended consequences are avoided from our soldiers on both sides,” he said.
BDF members were again accused of intimidating locals along the Namibian side of the Chobe River in two separate incidents in January.
He made the remarks during a staff briefing last week.
“Namibia and Botswana are friendly countries. Some of the things we hear are issues of probably just undisciplined soldiers and I believe the BDF is dealing with these soldiers who just want to keep harassing people for no good reason,” he said.
Chief of defence, Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, added there are mechanisms to deal with ill-disciplined solders.
“We have a complete security system that includes the Namibia Defence Force [NDF], the Namibian Police and so on, and if a case of harassment is reported, we conduct a thorough investigation to determine the truth about the alleged harassment.
“There is no doubt when we meet and discuss these things; we find ways to resolve these issues,” he added.
Joint military exercises
The BDF and NDF will also soon start carrying out joint military exercises along the Namibia-Botswana border to avoid conflict with civilians on the part of both armies, Pinehas said.
“Be assured, the NDF and BDF have good relations. We are also in the process of introducing joint patrols along our common border so we are doing something to make sure unintended consequences are avoided from our soldiers on both sides,” he said.
BDF members were again accused of intimidating locals along the Namibian side of the Chobe River in two separate incidents in January.
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