(TheVoice, Botswana) Soccer players that remained in Botswana mired in legal mess

From: Biniam Tekle <biniamt_at_dehai.org_at_dehai.org>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 22:13:37 -0400

http://www.thevoicebw.com/2015/10/23/govt-turns-eritrean-players-against-their-lawyers/



Gov’t Turns Eritrean Players Against Their Lawyers


October 23, 2015
LEONARD MATOTA


In a shocking turn of events, the lawyer representing the 10 Eritrean
players seeking political asylum in Botswana, this morning told
members of the press that government officials have approached their
clients in an effort to turn the players against them.

Attorney Dick Bayford revealed that the Five officials met with the
players at the high security facility in Francistown with an
interpreter who identified himself as Mike and convinced them that
government was preparing to give the Eritreans asylum, while their
lawyers and the human rights movement were delaying the whole process.

According to Bayford the move by government gave them a torrid time
when they met the Eritreans, as their clients had already been brain
washed to believe they were fighting against them. He however noted
that after several hours of trying to show the Eritreans exactly what
was going on, they together with Jao Salbany broke the ice when they
showed players their communication with their relatives, who are very
worried about them.

“These faceless officials made the Eritreans write individual letters
in their language saying they do not want anything to do with us and
sign them. We have tried and even went as far as checking the
occurrence register to see who these officials were but unfortunately
there are no records, which is amazing for such a highly secured
facility,” said the seemingly surprised Bayford.

“However Botswana Prisons Services’ Superintendent Modise who was very
cooperative told us that the only government organ which was allowed
to enter without following the due security measure were members of
the DISS. So we are going seek the identification of those individuals
because we believe there should be CCTV footages and we will take them
to court on contempt charges.”

Bayford further noted that what was frustrating even more was that
since the players’ detention, they have not even changed the kit they
were wearing when they were walloped by the Zebras. He said they had
no washing or bathing soap and didn’t even have any form of
communication with their relatives.

Bayford said he was however happy that in the end they managed to
convince their clients to write letters revoking the previous letters
they signed with government officials. The players who are kept at a
detention center for illegal immigrants’ case is expected be heard on
December 11.
Received on Fri Oct 23 2015 - 22:14:17 EDT

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