It has however, come to the fore that accommodating former president Ian Khama, who is considered a fugitive from the courts has caused tensions between the two neighbouring nations.
Having been silent on what Khama's situation means to the relationship between the two countries, President Mokgweetsi Masisi this week came out with guns blazing to express his frustrations at South Africa and Eswatini for "aiding and abetting" Khama. The tussle between Khama and Masisi has dominated the latter's tenure in office, with South Africa and its President Cyril Ramaphosa specifically, caught between the two supremos. In 2021, Khama went into exile in South Africa shortly before 16 criminal charges were instigated against him relating to illegal possession of "weapons of war."
