Paul Nyathi|Former Botswana President Ian Khama has denied having an affair with former South African Energy Minister Jeff Radebe’s wife, Bridgette, and he said cronies of his successor Mokgweetsi Masisi made up the story.
South Africa and Botswana had to mend relations after a telephone conversation in which Radebe was accused of hatching a plot to unseat Masisi was leaked and Botswana slapped her with a travel ban.
Khama sat down with South African Eyewitness News for a wide-ranging exclusive interview, where he confirmed that he voted for the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and shunned the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which made him president.
Khama defended Radebe, saying all she did was try to mediate his differences with Masisi, with Radebe saying she would never destabilise another country.
Khama said he regretted that South Africa had to be drawn into his public disapproval of Masisi.
He said the party he voted for, the BPF, would take support from the BDP.
“I think there will be a dent. I don’t know how much, but we decided to not stand in all constituencies and our project was to form an alliance with the main opposition party.”
The Botswana media reported recently that Khama was the cause of troubles in the Radebe home, but he denied this.
“I’m not having an affair with her. I can tell you categorically that is fake news put out by Masisi’s cronies. I take my hat off to her for trying to reconcile my differences with Masisi and his differences with me.”
Meanwhile, Radebe is contemplating suing Khama for wrecking his marriage.
Radebe and Motsepe are currently on separation with the former minister still staying at their Sandhurst, Sandton mansion while Motsepe has moved to a five star hotel – Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Sandton.
Radebe has already engaged one of South Africa’s top lawyers Themba Langa to institute divorce proceedings. Langa has also been instructed to explore possibilities of civil proceedings against Khama in Botswana courts for breaking up Radebe’s marriage.This was after a private investigator engaged by Radebe intercepted SMS communication in which Khama allegedly gave Motsepe ultimatums to break up with Radebe or never hear from him again.