19 May 2022

Tonota sub-district headmen of arbitration have commended the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Kgotla Autlwetse for an update on the status of Bangwato bogosi and the apparent dissension between former President Lt. Gen Seretse Khama and President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi. 

Explaining circumstances leading to resignation of Bangwato Regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane, Minister Autlwetse said the kgosi had convened meetings to the kgotla, knowing fully well that such meetings were illegal. 

The minister said while Kgosi Kgamane denied convening the unauthorised meetings, he allowed them to continue at the Bangwato main kgotla. 

That, he said, he did at the instigation of Lt. Gen Khama, contrary to Bogosi Act section 17 paragraph eight (8) and Section 73. The two sections allow a kgosi, in this case Kgosi Kgamane to hold meetings on behalf of tribal administration and not somebody else, in this case former president Khama. 

Minister Autlwetse said laws and regulations must be obeyed at all times, and as Kgosi Kgamane would not desist from allowing the illegal meetings at Serowe main kgotla, he was suspended. 

However, on April 28 Kgosi Kgamane resigned as Bangwato regent. The nexus of the matter, he said, was the conflict between the former President and his successor, which erupted sometime in 2019, when the latter would not accede to some of the former’s demands for his retirement benefits. 

Mr Autlwetse said as part of the retirement package demands, Lt. Gen Khama wanted his security to be increased as he said he retired as an army general. This was despite the fact that other retired army generals were not accorded that type of security. 

Government however provided security in the same way it did other former presidents. Former President Lt Gen Khama also demanded that even after retirement he should remain Commander in Chief of the disciplined forces; Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Services, Criminal investigation Department (CID) Criminal Intelligence Branch (CRIB), as well as the Directorate of Intelligence Security Service (DISS). 

The President would not accede to these demands. 

Mr Autlwetse added that President Masisi’s selection of Mr Slumber Tsogwane as Vice-President widened the rift as the former president had wanted his brother and Member of Parliament for Serowe West Mr Tshekedi Khama to be the one holding the position. Said Minister Autlwetse: “At the onset of the conflict President Masisi, in an attempt to bring peace appointed a delegation of elders led by former President Mr Festus Mogae, and whose other members were former ministers Messrs David Magang, Patrick Balopi and Ray Molomo. 

However, that failed as the former President Khama rejected them”. All the same he said, the elders reported back that Lt Gen Khama did not dispute that he made the demands. 

Mr Autlwetse said after rejecting the first delegation of elders, the former President Khama insisted on a delegation of his choice. 

President Masisi granted his wish to have a delegation comprising BDP elders Messrs Satar Dada, Charles Tibone, and Legwaila Legwaila meet with him. But he also rejected the delegation. 

Subsequent to the failed attempt at peace by President Masisi, some Bangwato elders who with misguided belief thought President Masisi was mistreating Lt Gen Khama, sought audience with the President. 

“However, protocol dictates that issues of tribal concern should be directed to local government ministry, and in this regard the President assigned the ministry to handle the matter,” said minister Autlwetse. 

This did not go down well with the elders, hence the illegal meetings at Serowe main kgotla, he said. ends