By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Lieutenant General Ian Khama,the former Botswana President has confirmed that,he will go back home before the highly anticipated elections in his country.

The former Head of State disclosed these new developments exclusively to this Swaziland News when speaking to this journalist on Saturday afternoon,he is wanted by the ruling President Mokgweetsi Masisi's regime on alleged politically motivated illegal possession of firearms criminal charges.

But sources close to some Southern African Development Community(SADC) Heads of State who support and sympathize with ex-President Ian Khama told this publication that,President Masisi “has been warned to stop playing dirty politics and allow Khama back home as arresting him might result to chaos in Botswana”.

Despite being declared or labelled a fugitive in Botswana by President Mokgweetsi Masisi,Khama was welcomed by King Mswati of eSwatini and this publication subsequently gathered that,he has been receiving support and encouragement from other SADC Heads of State that include Angolan President João Lourenço.

“It is true I plan to go back before the elections but,not decided exactly when yet.Of course when I go back I will not be welcomed by the regime who will resort obviously to deprive me of my freedom and even my life,”said the former Botswana President when responding to this Swaziland News on Saturday afternoon.

But President Ian Khama has been freely traveling to countries in Europe and the SADC region and,sources close to an influential Head of State within the region told this publication that,the fact that Khama was moving freely around the world without being arrested should have sent a signal to President Masisi that,the international community was fully aware that,he was weaponizing the judiciary against Khama.

“Despite the fact that, arresting Khama might result to political chaos in Botswana,more than half of the SADC Heads of State are on Khama’s side and arresting him will result to diplomatic tensions.These criminal charges are not convincing, maybe if Khama was accused of killing civilians,serious acts of involvement in corruption or crimes against humanity,the world would have reacted in a different way. Accusing a soldier of illegal possession of weapons is not convincing.But we thank your King for being matured and protect Khama even after being criticized by Masisi,what Masisi is doing is not right”, said the diplomatic source.

Efforts to reach Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi Spokesperson proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

On another note,former President Ian Khama was in eSwatini last week,attending the Embiveni Biggest Braai organized by Philani Maswati Charity Organization whose Patron is King Mswati’s mother Queen Ntombi Tfwala.

Khama was an important Guest for the event and former Labour Minister Lutfo Dlamini, the current Philani Maswati Charity Organization Chairman later told this publication that,the former Head of State interacted with people and even drove to meet members of his Botswana Khoisan tribe who were invited to perform during the event.

But the new developments suggesting Khama’s possible return to his home country, come at the time when the ruling Botswana Democratic Party(BDP) is divided ahead of the October general elections.

But reports suggest,elders of the ruling party criticized President Masisi saying he was losing control within the party and Government while creating public sympathy for ex-President Ian Khama by persecuting him.

The Botswana Grill,quoting a diplomatic source,reported that the persecution of the former Botswana President has divided SADC Heads of State.

“In May,President Masisi accused South Africa and Eswatini of harboring Khama from facing justice in Botswana.But it is believed that they are not the only two Nations sympathising with the former President”, the Grill reported.