He has on several occasions, openly criticised Mugabe.

Khama was the only African leader who stood with Western countries in 2013 following an “overwhelming” victory by Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party in elections that were dismissed by opposition parties as a “farce”.

According to reports on Thursday, Khama said that Mugabe had over stayed his welcome, adding that he had led Zimbabwe into “chaos”.

The Batswana leader also said that Mugabe had become a “liability” to the entire southern African region as millions of Zimbabweans continued to flock out of Zimbabwe for “greener pastures” in neighbouring countries.

Botswana reportedly hosts at least 100 000 Zimbabweans, while its southern neighbour, South Africa, is home to around three million expatriates who are fleeing economic difficulties in their country.

Good leadership qualities

Khama said they were more than enough strong leaders in Zimbabwe, who could take over from Mugabe and lead the country out of its continued woes.

“They have got plenty of people there who have got good leadership qualities who could take over. It is obvious that at his age and the state Zimbabwe is in, he’s not really able to provide the leadership that could get it out of its predicament,” Khama was quoted saying.

Mugabe’s critics welcomed Khama’s rfmarks, saying that this should have been amongst the top agenda’s of the 37th SADC summit recently held in Swaziland.

On his official twitter account, opposition leader Tendai Biti said that he agreed with Khama’s comments.

Sadly that is very true and sadly the region itself has failed to protect itself against Mugabe s failures https://t.co/7qB5SHZUXf — TENDAI BITI (@BitiTendai) September 21, 2016

The Movement for Democratic Change spokesperson, Obert Gutu also twitted that it would take a collective effort by the regional leaders to get rid of Mugabe. How I wish more SADC and African leaders could be as frank and straight – talking as Botswana President Ian Khama !— Obert Gutu (@GutuObert) September 22, 2016
However, according to New Zimbabwe, the utterances by Khama ruffled some feathers in Harare, as one political commentator blasted the Botswana leader.Godwin Murerira said that the neighbouring Khama was in no position to say that Mugabe was a regional threat as he had allowed a US military base to operate in his country. He said Khama was a bitter man who had unsuccessfully fought on opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s corner for years. “He is the only one who has been saying elections are not free and fair even when SADC and Africa said they were fair. He prefers his friend Tsvangirai. Unfortunately, they have constantly lost. Therefore he has become bitter at personnel level but not that it’s the position of the Botswana people,“ Murerira was quoted as saying.Meanwhile, social media went abuzz on Thursday as Mugabe’s supporters and his critics took each other on over khama’s comments.    @SlowVybz @ali_naka @RichardMhute There’s no denying that Mugabe is an evil dictator who must die a slow, agonising  death. He must go!— Burning Spear (@CdeJMN) September 22, 2016 Botswanan President Ian Khama (a longstanding critic) says Mugabe must go in the interests of the whole region https://t.co/lnB5Gy0c0O— Ashley Giles (@Ashley_Giles) September 21, 2016 Now that @Iankhama has said the obvious – Mugabe must go – wait 4 the bootlickers attacks 2moro @BrezhMalaba @caesarzvayi @MabasaSasa— mmatigari (@matigary) September 21, 2016 @BrezhMalaba he is the only president  in Africa with the guts to point out that Mugabe must go— peace ? (@paulmaposa2) September 21, 2016
I hear the gay President Khama has opened his foul mouth again. Let him be reminded that not all men are his wives. #Dogs&Pigs— Charity Maodza (@CharityMaodza) September 22, 2016

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