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Zimbabwe spies plotted to kill Ian Khama?
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Former Botswana president Ian Khama says he has received warnings from two independent sources alleging that there is a plot to kill him, claims he links to his outspoken criticism of Zimbabwe's government and the recently enacted Constitutional Amendment No. 3.
Speaking to the Masvingo Mirror, Khama said the information he received coincided with reports that a senior officer from Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) had recently travelled to Botswana and allegedly met intelligence counterparts there.
Khama, who is patron of the African Centre for Governance, an organisation he described as being linked to former intelligence officials, alleged that the reported visit was connected to a plot against him.
"I was contacted by two sources with information that there is a plot by the Government of Mnangagwa to kill me," Khama told the publication.
"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.
"I am making this information public so that people know where to look if anything happens to me."
Khama said he believes he has become a target because of his criticism of governance and constitutional developments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere on the African continent.
"I have commented on what is happening in Tanzania, in Uganda and Cameroon, where Paul Biya remains the President at 93, and this unsettles dictators," he said.
The former Botswana leader also criticised Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment No. 3, arguing that it was designed to benefit President Emmerson Mnangagwa rather than the broader public.
"Mnangagwa must be warned that he is not a young man; he is over 84 years old. 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 said.
"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.
"No one is fooled by Mnangagwa's tricks. The constitutional amendment he made is to guarantee his future election because the MPs who will elect him in Parliament are going to come through a rigged process.
"The amendment process makes it impossible for people to choose a President of their choice."
According to the Masvingo Mirror, attempts to obtain comment from presidential spokesperson George Charamba and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya were unsuccessful.
At the time of publication, the Zimbabwean government had not publicly responded to Khama's allegations, and no independent evidence had been made public to substantiate the existence of the alleged plot.
Khama has long been an outspoken critic of Zimbabwe's political leadership. In 2008, while serving as Botswana's president, he granted refuge to the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai after Tsvangirai left Zimbabwe citing threats to his safety during the disputed elections against former president Robert Mugabe.
Speaking to the Masvingo Mirror, Khama said the information he received coincided with reports that a senior officer from Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) had recently travelled to Botswana and allegedly met intelligence counterparts there.
Khama, who is patron of the African Centre for Governance, an organisation he described as being linked to former intelligence officials, alleged that the reported visit was connected to a plot against him.
"I was contacted by two sources with information that there is a plot by the Government of Mnangagwa to kill me," Khama told the publication.
"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.
"I am making this information public so that people know where to look if anything happens to me."
Khama said he believes he has become a target because of his criticism of governance and constitutional developments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere on the African continent.
"I have commented on what is happening in Tanzania, in Uganda and Cameroon, where Paul Biya remains the President at 93, and this unsettles dictators," he said.
"Mnangagwa must be warned that he is not a young man; he is over 84 years old. 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 said.
"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.
"No one is fooled by Mnangagwa's tricks. The constitutional amendment he made is to guarantee his future election because the MPs who will elect him in Parliament are going to come through a rigged process.
"The amendment process makes it impossible for people to choose a President of their choice."
According to the Masvingo Mirror, attempts to obtain comment from presidential spokesperson George Charamba and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya were unsuccessful.
At the time of publication, the Zimbabwean government had not publicly responded to Khama's allegations, and no independent evidence had been made public to substantiate the existence of the alleged plot.
Khama has long been an outspoken critic of Zimbabwe's political leadership. In 2008, while serving as Botswana's president, he granted refuge to the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai after Tsvangirai left Zimbabwe citing threats to his safety during the disputed elections against former president Robert Mugabe.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
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