Immigration on high alert for Khama arrival?

  • Sources say state officials and law enforcement agencies are on high alert for his imminent return, but they have been kept in the dark on what happens if he tries to cross into Botswana.

TEFO PHEAGE

Watching out for the arrival of former President Ian Khama from his international engagement has been marked as a high priority by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, The Botswana Gazette can reveal.

Two directors in the department, Florah Lekoko and Caroline Okello-Wengi, were recently suspended for what sources say were their suspected links to the “unnoticed and unreported” departure of Khama from Botswana for South Africa last month.

A highly placed source has told this publication that state officials and law enforcement agencies are on high alert and are under instructions to raise the alarm immediately when Khama gets back from South Africa or wherever he may be.

“It is not yet known whether he will come by road or by air but it is highly anticipated that he will fly this time around,” said a source who added that what will then happen is being kept under wraps.

However, the source said, this information has been leaked to Khama who may not be coming any time soon because of it.

Since his sudden departure early last month, the controversial former president has repeatedly said he will be back in Botswana “soon”.

Asked whether it is true that he intends to leave State House Four which is under 24-hour state surveillance, Khama said never. “I will not be moving out of my residence to anywhere else because the harassment will continue wherever I go and for as long as Masisi is plotting my downfall with his cronies,” Khama said in a telephonic interview with this publication.