@ Exascot
I have to agree with you. I applied for my work permit in a personal capacity and had very few problems. (Besides the constant computer system problems) They were very friendly if not efficient. I did, however, apply at Francistown so that may have made a difference.
However, I feel that rather than using a middle-man a personal approach with the immigration officers would be more successful.
I may be wrong about this, but don't all applications go to Gabs anyway? What I am getting at is that it won't really matter if you do apply without an agency because the decision is essentially made in Gabs and it is just processed in Maun. What matters is who your employer is and the current local problem. I am not sure if Maun works differently and the entire process happens there.
It is also a pretty time consuming task to do it without an agency and that's maybe why its better to get it done this way?