What did Makhadzi pay to leave Botswana?

Makhadzi's camp has thanked governments, a premier and her lawyers for getting her passport back.

It says nothing about the deal that actually set her free.

On Wednesday, 4 November a Botswana court cleared the singer to return home after her lawyers and promoter Gilbert Seagile reached an agreement.

DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela confirmed it on X.

"Update: The matter was in court today. Makhadzi has been given permission to leave Botswana and return home to South Africa. The contractual dispute has been resolved with both parties reaching an agreement," he wrote.

Hours later, Makhadzi Entertainment released a statement. It made no mention of an agreement or any payment.

"Makhadzi Entertainment confirms that Makhadzi's travel documents have been returned. She approached the court in Botswana on an urgent basis after her travel documents were taken. Diplomatic engagement between the governments of Botswana and South Africa, with the support of the Limpopo Provincial Government, helped secure their return," the statement reads.

TownPress reported that Seagile had sought P500,000 in damages. It said the amount Makhadzi agreed to pay, if any, was not disclosed.

Footage on social media shows an emotional Makhadzi in a courtroom.

The silence comes two days after Makhadzi told fans she would not pay to get her passport back.

In a Facebook live video on Monday, she said she was being asked for P100,000.

"My question now is, money for what? Because I didn't do anything. If you are saying you have a problem, I'm saying I don't have a problem. We can go to court to argue. If I'm wrong, the law will say she was wrong, you were right.

For now I'm saying whoever wants money, it must be run by the court only. That is my language," she said.

The statement thanks the Premier of Limpopo and the Limpopo Provincial Government for their support.

It does not say what the province did in what was a private contractual dispute in another country.

"Makhadzi thanks the governments of Botswana and South Africa for their diplomatic cooperation, and the Premier of Limpopo and the Limpopo Provincial Government for their support," it reads.

It also thanks her attorneys, Kago Rapula Mokotedi and Bakotelo Moagisi Mmipi, "for acting swiftly and representing her in the urgent court proceedings in Botswana".

The statement repeats Makhadzi's claim that she owed Seagile nothing.

"Makhadzi wishes to clarify to her fans in Botswana that she was never booked to perform at the proposed show organised by Gilbert Promotions and received no payment for it," it reads.

TownPress reported that Seagile alleged Makhadzi had failed to honour an agreement for a One Woman Show set for 12 September. It said Gilbert Promotions rejected her kidnapping claims and said the travel restriction came from a court order.

Makhadzi was stopped at a show on Saturday, 31 October. In Monday's video she said she felt "kidnapped".

Makhadzi and her management did not respond to questions Africa Daily sent on Tuesday.

The statement also announced that her new album has been moved from 13 November to 27 November. Her One Woman Show at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane goes ahead on 24 December.