An ex-president of Botswana has been summoned by a Botswana court concerning guns.

Former President Ian Khama has been ordered to appear before a Botswana court on Thursday on various criminal allegations, including possession of firearms.

According to the private Mmegi website, Mr....... Khama was charged alongside three others in an "unprecedented" charge sheet.

He, ex-intelligence head Isaac Kgosi, former police commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe, and ex-deputy permanent secretary Bruno Paledi are charged with a total of 38 firearms-related offenses, including illegal procurement, unlawful possession, and theft.

Illegal gun ownership in Botswana carries a maximum sentence of ten years in jail.

Mr. Khama previously told South Africa's Daily Maverick newspaper that he maintains his hunting rifles, shotguns, and "a few pistols" at his home, which he has accumulated over three decades.

He was quoted as adding that some of these belonged to his official and private security team.

Mr. Khama is unlikely to show up in person in court.

In November 2021, Mr. Khama, the son of Botswana's first president, Seretse Khama, went into self-imposed exile in South Africa.

He denied leaving Botswana at the time, but he hasn't returned to the country since.

From 2008 to 2018, Mr. Khama served as president.

He had a falling out with Mokgweetsi Masisi, his hand-picked successor, whom he accused of authoritarianism. From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Masisi served as Mr. Khama's vice-president.

The summons was issued ahead of President Masisi's scheduled meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday in Pretoria.