Botswana media reported at the weekend that there was a plot to stage a coup in the country following credible intelligence from the SANDF and the United Nations.
“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has noted with dismay adverse claims on certain Botswana media platforms alleging that the SANDF had credible intelligence about a looming coup in Botswana,” SANDF official Mafi Mgobozi said in a statement.
He added: “The SANDF wishes to state that the reports contain factual inaccuracies and rejects with contempt the allegations that the SANDF had information that a coup was plotted against the government of Botswana.”
The report, carried in Botswana’s Sunday Standard at the weekend, said the Botswana Defence Forces was on high alert after receiving the tip-off from the SANDF that some military elements planned to topple the government of President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
It said army tanks have been placed at strategic locations around the capital Gaborone – including around State House and the Mass Media Complex – in order to thwart the coup attempt.