Former President Ian Khama has called for an investigation into the financial affairs of his successor, Mokgweetsi Masisi, accusing him of mismanagement, authoritarianism, and possible misuse of state resources. Khama, who has been a vocal critic of Masisi’s presidency, recently spoke to international media, describing Masisi’s administration as “marked by dictatorship and mistakes.”
In a striking statement, Khama remarked, “I admit that Masisi made mistakes. I had to undo that, and Batswana have heard me and voted wisely.” His remarks reflect a continuing critique of Masisi’s governance, emphasizing alleged instances of authoritarian practices and poor management that Khama claims have affected the nation’s progress.
Khama’s call for accountability highlights his ongoing criticisms of Masisi’s administration, which he accuses of misusing public funds and centralizing power. As part of this, Khama is pressing for a thorough probe into Masisi’s financial activities, particularly any wealth and business interests accumulated during his tenure. Khama’s insistence on transparency is part of a broader campaign to address what he sees as a betrayal of the democratic principles Botswana was built on.
In his critique, Khama also addressed the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) relationship with Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF. He argued that while some Batswana may view this alignment with suspicion, he sees it as a “natural convergence of interests” rather than a formal political allegiance. Khama emphasized that both parties share similar governance approaches, though he distanced Botswana’s leadership from fully endorsing ZANU-PF’s policies.
