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There have been widely circulated social media posts following the outbreak of violence in South Africa. One of the posts claims that the President of Botswana took drastic measures against South Africa, including cutting off electricity supplies and closing the border due to rising xenophobic tensions.
The post further alleges that: "President Duma Boko declared a state of emergency, criticizing South Africans for the mistreatment of Batswana and fellow Africans. He also stated that South Africans have failed to recognize that many African nations, including Botswana, supported them during the apartheid era. The conflict allegedly started by South Africans has also worsened the energy crisis in some parts of South Africa.”
Claims that Botswana has cut off electricity supply to South Africa or closed its borders in response to anti-migrant actions are false and, as of May 2026, there is no evidence to support these assertions. Social media rumors circulating regarding "drastic measures" by Botswana are inaccurate, as the country remains reliant on South African power imports.
Verdict
There is no evidence of any speech by Botswana’s President Duma Boko or any official government statement or press release indicating that Botswana has taken special measures against South Africa, such as closing its borders.
In addition, according to South Africa’s 2024 electricity department report, South Africa imports coal from Botswana and some electricity from Mozambique. Although South Africa and Botswana maintain electricity trade relations, Botswana is actually a buyer of electricity from South Africa not the other way around.
The post further alleges that: "President Duma Boko declared a state of emergency, criticizing South Africans for the mistreatment of Batswana and fellow Africans. He also stated that South Africans have failed to recognize that many African nations, including Botswana, supported them during the apartheid era. The conflict allegedly started by South Africans has also worsened the energy crisis in some parts of South Africa.”
Claims that Botswana has cut off electricity supply to South Africa or closed its borders in response to anti-migrant actions are false and, as of May 2026, there is no evidence to support these assertions. Social media rumors circulating regarding "drastic measures" by Botswana are inaccurate, as the country remains reliant on South African power imports.
Verdict
There is no evidence of any speech by Botswana’s President Duma Boko or any official government statement or press release indicating that Botswana has taken special measures against South Africa, such as closing its borders.
In addition, according to South Africa’s 2024 electricity department report, South Africa imports coal from Botswana and some electricity from Mozambique. Although South Africa and Botswana maintain electricity trade relations, Botswana is actually a buyer of electricity from South Africa not the other way around.
