Launching Modiri Jojo Lucas as the parliamentary candidate
of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) in Francistown South last Sunday, Khama
warned of the possible infiltration of Zimbabweans to vote in Botswana.
He said the way President Mokgweetsi Masisi has advocated
for use of national Identity Cards (IDs) to travel between Zimbabwe and
Botswana is a concern that should make Batswana alert on polling day.
“Early this year, Masisi advocated for use of IDs between
the borders of these two countries,” said Khama. “More concerning is that he
lashed out at Members of Parliament who expressed concern about such an
arrangement and defended it.
“Why was he eager to bring an arrangement that he made only
with his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emerson Mnangagwa. It is so
disturbing for Masisi to bring about something like that without consultation.
“Watch out for Zimbabweans in the queues on election day.
If you see anyone suspicious, probe them and raise the alarm to avoid election
rigging.”
Khama said if Zimbabweans and journalists from that country
managed to cast their votes in Mozambique’s general elections last week, they
could do that to help the ruling party in Botswana.
Khama’s allegations come after Zimbabwean newspaper, The
Mirror Masvingo, reported that some Zimbabweans, among them journalists, had
cast votes in Mozambique general elections recently and did not encounter any
challenges in the process.
Meanwhile, speaking at the Kusi Ideas Festival in Zimbabwe
last year, President Masisi proposed use of IDs to travel between Botswana and
Zimbabwe. Botswana Gazette
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