Botswana’s ex-president, Ian Khama had appeared in court on Friday to face charges of unlawfully owning a gun and receiving stolen property, after returning from three years in exile in preparation of an election which rival is seeking a second term.
The magistrate had postponed two arrest warrants against him on Friday for defaulting to turn up to answer the charges in April 2022. Note that Khama had been in exile, predominantly in neighbouring South Africa, since late 2021.
The allegations against him include unlawful possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property and obtaining the registration of a firearm by deceit. The former president had since denied them, saying that they were politically motivated.
Khama’s father Seretse Khama was Botswana’s founding president, and he had quit the ruling Botswana Democratic Party in 2019 after falling out with his successor President, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Khama has been in full support of the opposition, Botswana Patriotic Front and had previously said he would return to Botswana to help overthrow the incumbent in a national election on October 30.
He will make his next court appearance on September 23, according to magistrate Mareledi Dipate.
