Previous leader, who is 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 for the possession of unlawful firearms, his lawyer has explained.
Khama, who led Botswana from 2008 to 2018, left the nation very last 12 months for neighbouring South Africa soon after slipping out 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 seem for trial previously this yr. The 69-year-old faces 14 fees dating back to 2016, among them allegations of cash laundering and managing stolen house, but the warrant is only for the possession of 5 unlawful firearms.
Mareledi Dipate, the justice of the peace who issued the arrest warrant, reported Khama ought to be apprehended on sight and taken to the Broadhurst Magistrate’s Courtroom.
Victor Ramalepa, a law firm for the previous leader, informed the regional newspaper Mmegi that they will challenge the conclusion, without having giving further information.
Khama is charged together with the previous head of intelligence and police providers, Isaac Kgosi, suspended Police Commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe, and Victor Paledi, a previous deputy lasting secretary in the Youth, Gender, Sport and Tradition Ministry.
Khama has vehemently denied the charges, stating they are element of a political conspiracy due to his opposition to Masisi.
“There’s been no criminal offense. I have performed nothing at all erroneous,” Khama instructed South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC on Friday.
The previous chief explained the warrant was issued since he “left the ruling social gathering and campaigned from him [Masisi]”.
“I have the licences [for the firearms]. They required to search [his property] and get them away. But they arrived with the improper look for warrant,” Khama explained to SABC.
“Despite the actuality that they came with the completely wrong lookup warrant … I explained I have bought absolutely nothing to conceal, tomorrow let’s satisfy and I will display screen the weapons and the licences. They didn’t arrive,” he extra.
Khama, the son of Botswana’s initial President Seretse Khama, was the fourth president of Botswana.
After serving as commander of the Botswana Defence Pressure, Khama ventured into politics and was vice president from 1998 to 2008, before succeeding Festus Mogae as president in 2008.
Khama was re-elected in the 2009 elections. He was elected again in October 2014, leaving office environment 4 a long time later on after finishing two 5-calendar year phrases.