Masisi, Ramaphosa meet paves way for Khama extradition
The recent Fifth Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting in Pretoria has paved way for former president Ian Khama’s impending extradition to Botswana to answer for criminal charges the State has laid against him.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa held bilateral talks on Friday, specifically in the area of cooperation between the two Southern African neighbouring nations.
Although before the meeting, government officials had denied that the Khama issue would be discussed at the meeting in Pretoria as the gathering was squarely about bilateral relations, Ramaphosa has confirmed that indeed the matter was discussed. Ramaphosa was quoted in the South African media confirming that they discussed the matter with Masisi on Friday.
He said they discussed the matter after Masisi informed him (Ramaphosa) that charges have been preferred against Khama and that the former president is on a visit. To that effect, Ramaphosa said he believes because of the strong ties shared by the neighbouring countries, they will be able to resolve the matter.
“Our relationship between Botswana and SA is so warm, good and so positive that we will be able to deal with any challenge that comes our way,” he said.
“We are always on the phone together, almost weekly, chatting about all manner of things. We also chat about cattle because we are both cattle farmers.”
This means that South Africa will cooperate with local authorities in the event that Khama has to be extradited to Botswana.
The South African president went on to dispel perceptions that South Africa is harbouring a ‘fugitive’ after Khama failed to show up for his maiden court appearance on Thursday.
Khama has since told The Monitor through Private Secretary, Mabedi Letsholo, that charges against him were rushed so the matter could be discussed at the bilateral meeting.
“That was the whole intention of laying charges before their meeting so he Masisi could say that. In their haste to do so and meet the deadline before the meeting, you will have realised the charges were badly prepared,” he said.
“For as long as I am an obstacle to Masisi’s re-election, chances are the fraudsters over who he presides will continue to resort to their illegal ways to stop me. I too will continue to remind the nation of his destructive ways motivated by his self-serving interests for as long as he continues to drag our country down.”
Khama further said he had spoken to many in South Africa about why he is there. “They are very aware about what is going on, very understanding and supportive,” he said.
Quizzed on his return, Khama said there is a team here (South Africa) and in Botswana working on when they think he should return. He said procedures are followed that regulate his stay including any extensions. Khama has been in South Africa since November 2021. There are suggestions that the former statesman is running away from justice after the State preferred 14 charges against him. Ramaphosa’s comments come on the backdrop of numerous perceptions that Khama might not return to the country to stand trial for his firearms case, and that it may prove difficult for the State to extradite him from South Africa due to his relationship with a powerful family close to Ramaphosa.
It is alleged that Khama, who is a family friend of Ramaphosa’s sister-in-law Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe, feels safe and protected in South Africa.
Khama has been non-committal about whether he will appear in court when the case resumes on June 6. When asked by one of South Africa’s media outlets if he would appear in court, Khama said: “Let’s wait and see.” He said the charges were trumped up while stating that Masisi was shown the charges for his approval, a move that he said shows that they were politically motivated.
Khama said there was no coincidence with him being charged just a day before the bi-national meeting between Masisi and Ramaphosa as it was a plan to discredit him (Khama) in South Africa. He also said the move was meant for Ramaphosa to withdraw their support of him (Khama).
In the firearms case, Khama is accused number two and is charged alongside suspended Police Commissioner, Keabetswe Makgophe and deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Victor Paledi. They join Isaac Kgosi whose charges amount to a staggering 33 counts.
Khama has since told
The Monitor through
Private Secretary, Mabedi Letsholo, that charges against him were rushed so the matter could be discussed at the bilateral
meeting.