Mmegi

'Still not safe for Tshekedi and Anthony'

Ian Khama with his brothers Tshekedi and Anthony Khama. PIC IAN KHAMA FACEBOOK PAGE
Ian Khama with his brothers Tshekedi and Anthony Khama. PIC IAN KHAMA FACEBOOK PAGE

Former president and now Kgosikgolo of Bangwato, Ian Khama, has implied that it is still not safe for his family despite the regime change after 58 years.

Over the weekend, Khama was welcomed back into his chieftaincy seat by multitudes of Bangwato who thronged both the Kgotla and the Serowe Sports Complex. However, Khama couldn't share the moment with his brothers, Tshekedi Khama and Anthony Khama, as the twins remain in self-imposed exile. Khama noted his brothers were not present as they still feared it was unsafe for them to return home. "Tshekedi is not here today, along with his wife and their firstborn child, because of the abuse they endured in the past," Khama stressed. He added that Tshekedi's situation is similar to that of his twin brother, Anthony. "Anthony, too, isn't here today, along with his wife and their children, for the same reasons—the abuse they suffered. They were imprisoned without doing anything wrong," he said. Khama stated that he had hoped and promised his brothers that they would be able to return after the elections, but this hasn't been possible because of ongoing issues. "I did say that I would call them to come back to Botswana after the elections. But there is still a threat," Khama warned.

Now as Kgosikgolo, he implored the Umbrella for Democratic Change-led government to address the issues so that his family could return home. "I plead with the Vice President and top government officials to eliminate the threat. I hope you all understand me and know who I am referring to. This person must be removed," he said. The former president elaborated that the abuse he and his family suffered made their lives difficult, including preventing them from burying their own sister, Jacqueline Khama. Despite Khama's assertion that a threat still lingers over his family's safety, charges against him have been dropped. "I have been informed that the charges against me have been dropped. You will remember that I was charged with illegal possession of firearms," he said.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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