News / Africa
Malema, the only South African needing a visa to go to Botswana
28 Aug 2014 at 01:59hrs | Views
The president that EFF leader Julius Malema wanted to help overthrow in 2011 stands in the way of his official visit to Botswana next month.
Malema is supposed to attend the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) election campaign rally on September 11. But in June last year, the Botswana government gazette listed him as the only South African who will need a visa to cross its borders.
The development arose after he was linked to a statement that called for plans to establish a "Botswana command team" uniting opposition in that country against "the puppet regime" led by President Ian Khama. He was eventually expelled by the ANC which swiftly moved to distance itself from the embarrassing comments of the then ANCYL leader.
Fast forward three years later, a new party in Botswana contesting the upcoming national elections in October against Khama's ruling party has invited Malema to their rally on September 11–13 in Molepolole.
The UDC remains hopeful that Malema, whose attendance seems to be anticipated judging from comments on social networks, will arrive despite the restrictions.
"I have not spoken to them (officials) because I was out of the country (yesterday), but I speak to them every day to check. I will communicate with them tomorrow to hear what the latest is. I will only be able to give answers after I have checked with the authorities," UDC Molepolole candidate Arafat Kitso Khan told The New Age.
Asked whether he was hopeful his country would change its stance on Malema, he said: "I am not the one who determines, the authorities will determine whether he can come or not." South Africans do not require a visa to travel to Botswana if their stay will be less than three months.
Not even Malema's new status as a member of Parliament in South Africa, which comes with a diplomatic passport, has deterred the Botswana government from wanting to make his entry to the country strictly scrutinised. Botswana's ministry of labour and home affairs last week said the visa restrictions against Malema still stood.
"Malema will have to apply for a visa since he was slapped with visa restrictions. As you are aware, the diplomatic passport he is in possession of was given to him by the South African government but that does not mean it will afford him the liberty to come to Botswana without applying for a visa," permanent secretary Ikwatlehaeng Bagopi said. Malema is said to have applied for a visa last week.
Botswana media earlier reported that the Economic Freedom Fighters had written a letter to the South African high commissioner to Botswana, Mdu Lembede, asking for his assistance in securing a visa for Malema who will be travelling with other party officials.
Lembede could not be reached for comment. Malema had not responded to questions on whether he had been granted a visa or not by yesterday afternoon.
Malema is supposed to attend the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) election campaign rally on September 11. But in June last year, the Botswana government gazette listed him as the only South African who will need a visa to cross its borders.
The development arose after he was linked to a statement that called for plans to establish a "Botswana command team" uniting opposition in that country against "the puppet regime" led by President Ian Khama. He was eventually expelled by the ANC which swiftly moved to distance itself from the embarrassing comments of the then ANCYL leader.
Fast forward three years later, a new party in Botswana contesting the upcoming national elections in October against Khama's ruling party has invited Malema to their rally on September 11–13 in Molepolole.
The UDC remains hopeful that Malema, whose attendance seems to be anticipated judging from comments on social networks, will arrive despite the restrictions.
Asked whether he was hopeful his country would change its stance on Malema, he said: "I am not the one who determines, the authorities will determine whether he can come or not." South Africans do not require a visa to travel to Botswana if their stay will be less than three months.
Not even Malema's new status as a member of Parliament in South Africa, which comes with a diplomatic passport, has deterred the Botswana government from wanting to make his entry to the country strictly scrutinised. Botswana's ministry of labour and home affairs last week said the visa restrictions against Malema still stood.
"Malema will have to apply for a visa since he was slapped with visa restrictions. As you are aware, the diplomatic passport he is in possession of was given to him by the South African government but that does not mean it will afford him the liberty to come to Botswana without applying for a visa," permanent secretary Ikwatlehaeng Bagopi said. Malema is said to have applied for a visa last week.
Botswana media earlier reported that the Economic Freedom Fighters had written a letter to the South African high commissioner to Botswana, Mdu Lembede, asking for his assistance in securing a visa for Malema who will be travelling with other party officials.
Lembede could not be reached for comment. Malema had not responded to questions on whether he had been granted a visa or not by yesterday afternoon.
Source - newage
