The establishment of the protectorate (part 1) � Founding myths

Earlier this year a series of full page colour adverts appeared in various local newspapers in which, next to a photograph of the a colonial era policeman lowering the Union Jack, it was falsely stated that: "On the 31st March 1895 the Bechuanaland territory was declared a British Protectorate following appeals made by three chiefs: Khama III, Bathoen II and Sebele I for assistance against threats of invasion"

To add to what this author and others have previously published, here it may once more be noted that the Protectorate over the southern Botswana, all the way up to the Tuli Circle, was in fact unilaterally proclaimed in London on the 27th of January 1885, being subsequently extended to the remaining northern part of the country in 1890, in each case by means of a distinctly British legislative instrument known as an Order-in-Council.

 

Editor's Comment
Bravo police for prompt action

It is also hurting that whilst we all know that the Botswana Police Service (BPS) is charged functionally with the duties to investigate all forms of crime, some locals have resorted to taking the law into their own hands. It is very wrong to do that. There is also a possibility that one may wrongfully take the life of a person in the process, unless it is a justifiable case of self-defence. Recently, in the city of Francistown, some locals found...

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