Investigations · Politics
Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane travelled to Botswana and back aboard Botswana’s presidential jet OK1 after the aircraft intended for his trip failed to obtain a flight permit from the Department of Civil Aviation in time — an explanation now disputed by a source who says permits for a Prime Minister’s aircraft are never delayed.
Staff Reporter
Botswana President Duma Boko publicly stated that his government placed Botswana’s presidential jet, OK1, at the disposal of Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane because Matekane faced logistical challenges in travelling to Gaborone for a state visit on 17 June 2026. The Prime Minister’s press attache has now provided an explanation for those challenges — one that points directly at the Lesotho Department of Civil Aviation.
Thapelo Mabote, press attache to the Prime Minister, told the Lesotho Tribune that the aircraft intended for the Prime Minister’s trip to Botswana submitted a permit application to the Department of Civil Aviation on 15 June 2026 — two days before the visit — and never received it. With no permit cleared, the aircraft could not fly. Botswana’s OK1...
