SA man arrested over 'insult'

2009-10-29 11:51

Johannesburg - A South African man has been arrested in Botswana for allegedly telling one of his workers he was "dumber than the president", Beeld reported on Thursday.

But Riaan van der Watt, 31, of Roodepoort on Johannesburg's West Rand, who manages a lodge in the Okavango Delta, denies ever saying that.

"We did have a difference of opinion but nobody shouted or hurt anyone," said Van Der Watt.

He was arrested and charged earlier this month, around the same time that President Ian Khama was inaugurated for a second five-year term.

Also this month, four South African women were reported to have been arrested and detained in Botswana for allegedly remarking that Khama "looks like a Bushman".

One of the woman ended up paying a 100 Botswana Pula fine and pleading guilty to a charge of "common nuisance".

- SAPA