23 May 2018

The office of the President wishes to respond to stories published in the Sunday Standard of 20th May, 2018 and the Patriot on Sunday newspapers of 20th May 2018 respectively, alleging seizure and confiscation of military weapons from Former President’s residence at Mosu and Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Whilst it is not in our nature to respond to every article about some Government Departments, we strongly feel that failure to react to such damaging insinuations will mislead the general public.

We refute allegations that associate the Department of Wildlife and National Parks with any armed militia activities.  We also strongly dismiss the allegations that military weapons were seized at the Former President’s residence at Mosu.

Government has decided to withdraw military weapons and equipment from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Contrary to the Patriot on Sunday story under the headline “Kgosi’s assets under scrutiny”, I wish to state that it is standard procedure and requirement that whenever there is a change in leadership in any public institution as is the case with the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS) an audit is conducted to facilitate assumption of office by the incoming head of Institution.  As in all other instances, the office of the Auditor General is, and will continue to assist in this process.

Government remains committed to the rule of law and will continue to do so through its various organs without any exception.

In this respect, it is not true as suggested by the Sunday Standard that the DIS might be spying on His Excellency, the Former President, Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama and the former General of the DIS.

As stated in the past, changes in senior positions in the public sector have been done before by past administrations since independence and will be done if found necessary by the current administration.  If carried out they are not intended to undo or antagonize what the previous administrations have done. 

The sole purpose or intention as always is what the leadership perceives as the best redeployment that can deliver and propel the nation’s prospects of economic development, peace and stability to the next level.

His Excellency the President stated in his inaugural speech that he will continue implementing most of the policies albeit with modifications after extensive consultations on matters of public interest.  Office of the President