Julius Malema Botswana travel ban lifted ahead of President Duma Boko's inauguration
The Botswana travel ban against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has been lifted ahead of President Duma Boko's inauguration on Friday.
The travel restriction on Malema was formally lifted under a Government Notice issued on Thursday.
Newly elected President Boko removed Malema’s name from the list of individuals barred from entering Botswana including former EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, and businesswoman Bridgette Radebe amongst others.
If Malema attends the ceremony, the trip will mark Malema’s first entry into Botswana since he was banned in 2011 after he made derogatory comments against former Botswana President Ian Khama.
At the time, Malema was the leader of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League when he in his speech, criticised Khama’s government labelling it as puppet regime.
He reportedly added that the ANC Youth League intended establishing a Botswana command team, which would work towards uniting all oppositional forces in Botswana “to oppose the puppet regime of Botswana, led by the Botswana Democratic Party”.
The red beret leader even threatened a possible coup to topple the Khama government. Because of the diplomatic rift caused by these comments, Malema's visa was restricted by the Botswana government, thereby preventing him from entering the country.
Malema's expulsion from the ANC in 2012 was partly because he threatened to bring about regime change in Botswana.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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