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- Former Botswana president Ian Khama did not attend Sir Seretse Khama Day in honour of his father despite being invited by the incumbent.
- He claims there was a government plot to arrest him.
- Khama has accused President Mokgweetsi Masisi of milking Seretse's name and legacy while persecuting his family.
Former Botswana president Ian Khama has said he didn't attend the commemoration of a public holiday named after his father because he fears for his life.
Sir Seretse Khama Day is celebrated on 1 July in honour of the first president of Botswana, on the anniversary of his birth in 1921.
Khama left Botswana in November 2021 for South Africa, where he has been based while travelling the world.
Back home, he faces 14 charges, ranging from unlawful possession of firearms to money laundering.
In a statement he posted on Facebook, Khama said he had planned to attend the celebrations in the Botswana capital, Gaborone, following an invitation from President Mokgweetsi Masisi and recent court rulings in his favour.
The Botswana High Court ruled last week that Khama should be allowed access to the state house given to him under the Pensions and Retirement Benefits of Former Presidents of Botswana Act.
Since 2021, the residence has been cordoned off by Botswana's Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) as a crime scene area until investigations in relation to the charge of being in possession of illegal firearms are settled.
READ | Ex-Botswana president Ian Khama vows to make successor 'one-term' president
The DIS approached the High Court, seeking permission to search the property and view closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage for possible evidence of a crime.
However, Khama's suspicion was raised when DIS refused to give his staff access to his official residence.
According to the Sir Seretse Khama Foundation, the DIS "was to have complied with this new order on or before the June 26th".
Also suspicious was that his "lawyers went to the relevant authorities to seek assurances that I would not be subject to any harassment if I were to return. They were told no such assurance could be given. Then, I wonder why I was invited."
He said the DIS had been "beefed up at points of entry" in anticipation of his return.
In February this year, it was reported that Masisi was open to sitting down with his predecessor to resolve diplomatic issues.
However, their relationship has remained sour, with Khama at one point vowing to make Masisi a one-term president.
Khama also believes there is a plan to assassinate him.
In his post, he wrote:
Khama accused Masisi of milking his Seretse's name and legacy while persecuting his family ahead of Botswana's general elections next year.
The theme of the celebrations was Remembering Sir Seretse Khama: The Framing of Democracy, Peace, and Good Governance as attributes of Development and Nation-building.
In his address Masisi didn't mention why Khama was not in attendance.
The News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The stories produced through the Africa Desk and the opinions and statements that may be contained herein do not reflect those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
