No sign of Khama brothers as funeral nears
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday May 30, 2022 09:43
Through his Facebook page, Khama announced the funeral arrangements but has given no word about his attendance.
“There will be a private memorial service in Gaborone on the morning of (Thursday) June 2, 2022, for family and close friends. Later in the afternoon of the same day, we are hosting another service open to the public at the Khama III Church (UCCSA) in Serowe starting at 4pm. On Friday morning June 3, 2022, a final service will be held in the Serowe main Kgotla starting at 7am. “In place of the customary daily prayer services, the family welcomes those who may wish to pay respects at the family home in Gaborone between 2pm and 4pm from Monday (May 30, 2022) to Wednesday (June 1, 2022). Any further information will be available in the next update,” he wrote. The Khama brothers, who were expected to travel to Monaco, seem to have aborted the trip as the former president over the weekend paid a courtesy call to Zion Christian Church Arch Bishop Reverend Barnabas Lekganyane.
Khama’s circle is tight-lipped on whether he will face his fear by returning to the country to give his sister her final send-off.
Kgosi Sekgoma Mokhutshwane, one of the elders who were sent to broker peace between Khama and his successor President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said they have no idea if Khama will attend the funeral.
“We are still waiting to be told if he will be coming, we will probably know on Monday,” he said.
SKI Khama Foundation chief executive officer, Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo said he “honestly” does not know if the brothers will attend.
“I think your best bet is to ask the Office of the President. They are responsible for his protocol,” he said.
Last month, the former president revealed that 13 out of 18 members of his family had fled the country as his feud with President Masisi worsened.
The former president faces 14 criminal offences, which include amongst others, unlawful possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, procuring the registration of a firearm by false pretence, aiding and abetting unlawful possession of a firearm, and ownership of a firearm not registered under the Arms and Ammunition Act of 2018.
He is set to appear in court on June 6, but has revealed that he has no intentions of coming back because his life is under threat.
Now after the unfortunate death of their sister, it remains to be seen whether the Khama family will return to Botswana for the funeral.
Meanwhile earlier this year, Kgosi Kgafela Kgafela II, who fled the country, didn’t return for the funeral of his mother and Bakgatla ba Kgafela Queen Mother Kathleen Kgafela. Kgosi Kgafela fled Botswana to South Africa in 2012 after a warrant of arrest for charges issued against him over floggings.