I directed Khama shouldn't be handcuffed – Masisi
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday June 11, 2024 13:14
Speaking at a gathering here, which was attended by Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) elders, Masisi explained his fallout with Khama. The President told party members that he tried and failed to reconcile with Khama when their fallout began. Masisi explained that when he realised his relationship with Khama, once a true fairytale before the fallout, had soured he assembled BDP leaders to intervene. He said the back and forth between the elders, he, and Khama hit a snag. In reflection of what may have possibly happened, Masisi shared: “Mo bo tautoneng rea hereana. Ke bua Setswana. Ke belaela ka gore ne a kgona go heta ka yone, gore monnawe, Tshekedi, e nne mothusa tautona,” loosely translated to (I suspect because he hinted at it that he wanted me to appoint his brother, Tshekedi to be my Vice President). With Khama facing 14 criminal charges, ranging from unlawful possession of a firearm to receiving stolen property, matters between the two only moved from bad to worse.
Masisi further shared how Khama left the country. The President said Khama skipped the country, left government cars and his security detail by the Martin's Drift border, and left for South Africa. “Initially, he said he was visiting. He has never come back. Now he says I tried to kill him. I have never come close to killing a human being, the only thing I can admit to killing is a goat, chicken, or cow. I once asked who between us is capable of killing. I put it on record that I don't wish the former president dead,” Masisi said. Commenting on the criminal charges against Khama, Masisi said when he was briefed about them, he directed that no matter what, the former president should never be handcuffed. “I told them that whatever they do, as per the law, they should never ever handcuff him. I would never allow that,' he emphasised.