Economic and political problems in Zimbabwe have led to significant increases in migration to Botswana since the early 2000s.
Botswana's agricultural officials assert that the main purpose of the fence is to stop animal rather than human migration, with the aim of preventing the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease, but Zimbabwe's high commissioner in Gaborone rejects this explanation, calling it an attempt to make Zimbabwe into a "Gaza Strip".
[9] Human rights abuses faced by Zimbabweans in Botswana have also become the subject of a play entitled "Voice of the People", with actors from both countries.
[11] More than half of Zimbabwean migrant workers are employed in mining and agricultural occupations, while others work in construction, real estate, retail, education, hospitality, health and manufacturing.
As a result, a disproportionate number of Zimbabweans form part of Botswana's skilled workers, making them a great asset to the economy.