Botswana's government has dismissed claims that it plans to arrest and kill exiled former president Ian Khama if he returned home.
In an interview last week, Mr Khama told AFP news agency that he had information about plans to arrest and poison him upon arriving home from South Africa, where he has been exiled since 2021.
He claimed the Botswana government fears his influence ahead of next year's general elections.
But in a statement on Tuesday, communication permanent secretary William Sentshebeng dismissed Mr Khama's claims as "outrageous and unfortunate".
"We regard the claims as politically motivated and with sole intention to tarnishing the good image of Botswana and her government," Mr Sentshebeng said.
With elections due next year, Mr Khama has vowed to dethrone his handpicked successor Mokgweetsi Masisi, now a bitter rival whom he accuses of being a threat to democracy.
Mr Khama said he was preparing to return home to "join with other parties to ensure that he [Mr Masisi] and his party lose the elections".
The former leader said he has undergone a "full medical check" and updated his will because he was almost certain that within days of arriving he will be arrested.
The 70-year-old Mr Khama, a former senior military officer, governed one of Africa's top diamond producing nations for a decade until 2018, before handing the reigns to Mr Masisi, then his deputy.
The row between him and his successor started in 2018 when President Masisi started reversing some key policies adopted during Mr Khama's tenure.
In January, President Masisi struck a reconciliatory note but the rivalry between the two continues.
In December last year, Botswana issued an arrest warrant for Mr Khama, alleging unlawful possession of firearms.
Latest Stories
-
REGSEC warns encroachers along Tema-Sakumono Ramsar site as it races to prevent flooding
2 mins -
Kumasi International Airport to be commissioned ahead of time – Transport Ministry
9 mins -
Vomit your loot now or hold onto it and face the consequences – Asiedu Nketiah to Akufo-Addo, NPP
19 mins -
Democracy is going to reverse in West Africa if we don’t tackle economic hardships – Atuguba
1 hour -
Bawumia commissions 124 housing units for victims of Appiatse disaster
1 hour -
Stonebwoy’s The Livingstone Foundation surprises talented autistic boy with gifts
1 hour -
NPP should’ve referred Kingsley Nyarko’s bribery allegation to the police – Inusah Fuseini
1 hour -
Police pursue gunmen for killing 2 off-duty officers at Trasacco
2 hours -
Bayer Leverkusen beat Roma to win semifinal first leg
2 hours -
Aston Villa face tough task after 2-4 defeat to Olympiacos
2 hours -
NGO empowers women and girls with disabilities
2 hours -
Guinness World Records: Nigerian woman paints nails for three days
2 hours -
Season 2 of ‘I’m in Love with Boma Ye’ returns this May on Joy Prime
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo’s disrespect of chiefs won’t be tolerated – Haruna Iddrisu
3 hours -
Chalobah and Jackson score as Chelsea defeat Tottenham
3 hours