Botswana’s Ministry of State President has dismissed claims that Thebephatshwa Air Base is a United States military installation, calling the reports false and warning that such misinformation risks undermining regional relations.
Ministry spokesperson Tuduetso Mokgosi said on Tuesday that the facility is a sovereign base owned and operated entirely by the Botswana Defence Force.
“The facility serves Botswana’s national interests of enhancing emergency response capabilities, supporting regional peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, and maintaining the operational readiness of our armed forces,” Mokgosi said.
Rumours that Botswana hosts a US military base have circulated in regional media and political debate, raising questions about the country’s defence posture.
The government stressed that while open discussion is welcome in a democracy, speculation on sensitive security matters must be grounded in verified facts.
Mokgosi cautioned that misinformation, especially when amplified across borders, can create unnecessary misunderstanding among citizens and between neighbouring states.
She urged politicians, commentators and media outlets to verify information before making public statements.
Botswana, which has long positioned itself as a stable democracy in southern Africa, emphasised its commitment to regional cooperation and mutual respect.
“Misinformation serves no one’s interests and undermines trust between nations,” Mokgosi said, underscoring the government’s rejection of the allegations.
JN/APA