President Ian Khama’s younger brother, MP and businessman Tshekedi Khama, has denied that he fingered Wilson Clay for deportation.
This week the High Court endorsed President Khama’s declaration that, for national security reasons, Clay can longer stay in Botswana.
By then Clay had rushed to court to challenge his removal from Botswana. A wildlife enthusiast, it was reported that he had clashed with Tshekedi Khama over a lucrative business deal.
“I had no business plans with that man,” Tshekedi Khama said in an interview with the Sunday Standard.
Tshekedi said that he did not personally know Clay. He said he never had any past association with Clay but confirmed meeting him once in February this year.
He said by then, he and his family had visited the area around Kasane.
“If I were to talk to you about that man it would take more than an hour,” Tshekedi said, adding that Clay was a nuisance to the Kasane community.
“He shot people’s dogs and boasted that he was using his resources for free,” he added.
He said there were complaints about him from many people, including those from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
Tshekedi said that although many people thought Clay is American, he was actually South African.
Before President Khama’s declaration, Clay, aged 54, had been living in Botswana for the past five years. He ran a veterinary clinic in Kasane and also assisted at the Chobe National Park as a veterinarian.
This week, his lawyers argued unsuccessfully that, by declaring him an unwanted alien, Khama was interfering with the administration of Justice because a case in which Clay had taken government to task over cancellation of residence and work permits had not been settled.
Clay wanted the court to hold President Khama in contempt of court for issuing the declaration before the High Court could adjudicate on the issue.
However, Judge Lakvinder Walia held that by deporting Clay, Khama was not interfering with the judiciary.
Walia said Clay’s lawyers had failed to prove that the decision was actuated by malice.
Clay has indicated he intends to appeal the court’s decision. His flight out of Botswana is scheduled for Tuesday next week.
