A Botswana court on Friday dismissed an application by former President Ian Khama to have an arrest warrant against him struck down. The warrant was issued by a regional magistrate in late December after Khama, who is believed to be living in South Africa since November 2021, failed to turn up in court to answer charges laid against him in April.
The charges include unlawful possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, and procuring the registration of a firearm by false pretense among others.
The high court in Gaborone ruled that Khama’s application failed to meet the requirements for the warrant to be set aside or delayed, and said he also failed to justify why the matter should be treated as urgent.
His lawyer said Khama has not yet made a decision on appealing the judgment.
Khama has missed court appearances since he was charged in April, saying he feared for his life in Botswana.
He has been in a protracted feud with his successor President Mokgweetsi Masisi which resulted in him quitting the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 2019.
In other news – Warrant of arrest issued against former Botswana President Ian Khama
A warrant of arrest has been issued for former Botswana President Ian Khama. The warrant of arrest has been granted by the regional magistrate at Broadhurst in Botswana.
Former President Ian Khama, former top spy Isaac Kgosi, and others have been issued arrest warrants, according to the court document. This relates to illegal firearms possession, and Khama has previously stated that this is part of political persecution. Learn More