Former chief, who's now in South Africa, accused of possessing unlawful firearms.
Ian Khama, the previous president of Botswana, will contest an arrest warrant issued by a court docket for the possession of unlawful firearms, his lawyer has mentioned.
Khama, who led Botswana from 2008 to 2018, left the nation final yr for neighbouring South Africa after falling out together with his successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
The arrest warrant, issued on Friday by Gaborone’s regional Justice of the Peace, follows Khama’s failure to look for trial earlier this yr. The 69-year-old faces 14 fees relationship again to 2016, amongst them allegations of cash laundering and dealing with stolen property, however the warrant is just for the possession of 5 unlawful firearms.
Mareledi Dipate, the Justice of the Peace who issued the arrest warrant, mentioned Khama needs to be apprehended on sight and brought to the Broadhurst Justice of the Peace’s Court docket.
Victor Ramalepa, a lawyer for the previous chief, instructed the native newspaper Mmegi that they may problem the choice, with out giving additional particulars.
Khama is charged together with the previous head of intelligence and police providers, Isaac Kgosi, suspended Police Commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe, and Victor Paledi, a former deputy everlasting secretary within the Youth, Gender, Sport and Tradition Ministry.
Khama has vehemently denied the fees, saying they're a part of a political conspiracy on account of his opposition to Masisi.
“There’s been no crime. I've achieved nothing flawed,” Khama instructed South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC on Friday.
The previous chief mentioned the warrant was issued as a result of he “left the ruling celebration and campaigned in opposition to him [Masisi]”.
“I've the licences [for the firearms]. They needed to go looking [his property] and take them away. However they got here with the flawed search warrant,” Khama instructed SABC.
“Although they got here with the flawed search warrant … I mentioned I've acquired nothing to cover, tomorrow let’s meet and I'll show the weapons and the licences. They didn’t come,” he added.
Khama, the son of Botswana’s first President Seretse Khama, was the fourth president of Botswana.
After serving as commander of the Botswana Defence Drive, Khama ventured into politics and was vice chairman from 1998 to 2008, earlier than succeeding Festus Mogae as president in 2008.
Khama was re-elected within the 2009 elections. He was elected once more in October 2014, leaving workplace 4 years later after finishing two five-year phrases.
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