28 Jul 2013

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse says ground forces also have specialised functions requiring army officers with appropriate specialised training.

Answering a question in Parliament, Mr Seretse however said though the question was not clear, he assumed that the Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi was referring to deploying technical units of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) or personnel there, in operation and or roles that were otherwise or ordinarily not of their technical qualifications. 

He noted that it was a principle in the BDF that one was a soldier first and whatever profession one might have was just an additional mantle.

He therefore said it was not uncommon that now and then the BDF was called upon to perform a function that might be deemed as a national concern such as anti-poaching and or assisting in fighting crime; the BDF would contribute any member of the BDF as shall have been determined necessary taking all the relevant factors into consideration.

Minister Seretse said the performance of officers or men so selected are always satisfactory as all members of the BDF undergo basic military training.

Mr Mmolotsi had asked the minister why army officers with specialised training were used in ground forces duties and whether the performance of such officers was satisfactory in areas they were not trained in. ENDS