Visa restrictions show Khamas intolerance :: Mmegi Online

This week, the government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, announced that five members of the militant South African political organisation, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have been added to the list of foreigners that need to apply for visas to enter Botswana. The EFF leader, Julius Malema, was slapped with similar restrictions a few months ago.

While we understand that Botswana is within its right as a sovereign state to impose visa restrictions on anyone, we are worried that this trend is further exposing the current administration as intolerant and autocratic.

We know fully well that EFF members, including their leader Malema have said nasty things about Botswana and President Ian Khama. In fact, Malema and his supporters were expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) in 2012 after they called for the overthrow of Khama’s government. This was not appropriate: Malema did not only rankle the ANC, but Khama as well.

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