Assassination Plot Rocks Southern Africa: Ex-Botswana President Khama Claims Threat Over Zimbabwe Criticism

Former Botswana President Ian Khama has made serious allegations against the Zimbabwean government, claiming there is a plot by the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration to assassinate him. Speaking to the Masvingo Mirror, Khama stated these allegations came after receiving corroborating information from two sources about a reported visit to Botswana by a senior Zimbabwean intelligence official earlier this week. He claims this official held meetings with Botswana intelligence counterparts as part of a detailed plan targeting him.

Khama explained his decision to go public with this information, saying, "I am making this information public so that people know where to look if anything happens to me." He further added, "I was contacted by two sources with information that there is a plot by the Government of Mnangagwa to kill me. These sources have been trying to get in touch with me for some time and it is not by coincidence that a top CIO was in Botswana this week where he met his counterparts."

The former president believes his outspoken criticism of what he describes as authoritarian tendencies in several African nations has made him a target. He specifically highlighted Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment No. 3, arguing that it is self-serving and designed solely to benefit President Mnangagwa rather than the Zimbabwean populace. Khama stated, "Mnangagwa must be warned that he is not a young man. Constitutional Amendment Number 3 is self-seeking. That Constitution was amended for one man. It is not in the interest of the people of Zimbabwe."

Khama extended his criticism to a broader pattern among African leaders, accusing them of manipulating electoral systems to extend their terms in office. He remarked, "These tricks that Mnangagwa is using are copied from those African countries. The pursuit of power by these leaders is motivated by personal interests. As soon as these leaders come to power, they start rigging elections and harassing the opposition." He further alleged that the changes introduced by Constitutional Amendment No. 3 would fundamentally undermine the Zimbabwean people’s ability to freely choose their president, claiming the amendment is intended to guarantee Mnangagwa’s future election through a rigged parliamentary process.

Adding to his claims, Khama alleged that a senior Botswana intelligence official, who purportedly met the Zimbabwean operative, had been involved in previous attempts on his life dating back to 2019, incidents that at one point forced him to flee to South Africa. However, these allegations have not been independently verified. Zimbabwean government officials were unavailable for immediate comment; presidential spokesperson George Charamba and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya did not respond to inquiries, and attempts to reach Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Paul Chikava were unsuccessful.

It is worth noting that Khama has a history of taking public positions on political developments in Zimbabwe, including offering refuge to the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai during Zimbabwe’s disputed 2008 elections when Tsvangirai fled amid safety concerns. Despite the gravity of the claims, no evidence has been publicly presented to substantiate Khama’s allegations, and Zimbabwean authorities have yet to issue a public response.