Johannesburg - North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has denied allegations that his blue light convoy had "forced" Botswana President Ian Khama's convoy off the road during a visit to the country recently.
This after reports emerged that Mahumapelo's convoy had forced vehicles escorting Khama off the road while he was in the country attending the Global Expo Botswana 2017 Trade Exhibition.
Spokesperson for the Botswana government Jeff Ramsey in a statement confirmed the incident involving the North West premier.
"With reference to various media reports appearing this morning, this is to confirm that there was indeed an incident that took place in the afternoon of Wednesday (1/11/17) in which a convoy carrying the South African North West province’s Premier Supra Mahumapelo back to South Africa resulted in vehicles escorting H.E. the President Lt. General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, among others, to move off the road.
"H.E. the President's life was not under any threat during the incident."
STATEMENT |Incident involving North West Premier’s convoy https://t.co/I7qA6IrRpo pic.twitter.com/BgyB8dXa8x
— Botswana Government (@BWGovernment) November 5, 2017
Ramsey confirmed that the Botswana government had raised the issue with its South African counterparts "through the appropriate diplomatic channels".
He added that the matter was being resolved in an amicable matter.
Mahumapelo's office meanwhile, has denied the allegations levelled against the premier.
Speaking to News24, Mahumapelo's spokesperson Brian Setswambung said that while the premier was indeed in the country attending an expo, he denied knowledge of forcing Khama's convoy off the road.
The Department of International Relations has also remained mum on the issue, declining to comment.