The former leader, now in South Africa, is accused of possessing illegal firearms.
Former Botswana President Ian Khama will challenge the arrest warrant issued by the court for possessing illegal firearms, his lawyer has said.
Khama, who led Botswana from 2008 to 2018, left the country for South Africa last year after falling out with his successor, President Mukgotsi Masisi.
The arrest warrant, issued by a Gaborone district judge on Friday, follows Khama’s failure to appear in court earlier this year. The 69-year-old faces 14 charges dating back to 2016, including money laundering and handling stolen property, but the conviction is only for possession of five illegal firearms.
Judge Marledi Deepat, who issued the remand order, said Khama should be remanded in custody and taken to Broadhurst Magistrates’ Court.
Victor Ramalpa, the former leader’s lawyer, told local newspaper Mmegi that they would challenge the decision, without giving further details.
Khama is accused along with former police and intelligence chief Isaac Kgosi, suspended police commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe and former deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture Victor Paldi.
Khama has vehemently denied the allegations, saying they were part of a political conspiracy because of his opposition to Masisi.
“There has been no crime. I have done nothing wrong,” Khama told South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC on Friday.
The former leader said the sentence was imposed because he “left the ruling party and campaigned against him. [Masisi]”.
I have the permissions [for the firearms]. They wanted to search [his property] And remove them. Khama told the SABC.
“Despite the fact that they came with the wrong search warrant… I said I have nothing to hide, let’s meet tomorrow and show the weapons and permits. They didn’t come.”
Khama, the son of Sartse Khama, was the first president of Botswana, the fourth president of Botswana.
Khama entered politics after serving as the Chief of the Botswana Defense Force, serving as Vice President from 1998 to 2008, before succeeding Festus Muga as President in 2008.
Khama was re-elected in the 2009 elections. He was re-elected in October 2014 and left office four years later after serving two five-year terms.