02 Aug 2022

Gamalete traditional leaders on Monday reacted diplomatically to a briefing on the ongoing feud between President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Lt Gen Ian Khama by local government minister, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse.

 Balete’s Kgosi Mosadi Seboko pointed out that the matter was politically sensitive saying traditional leaders needed guidance on how to contribute in a manner that would not be construed as taking sides.

Kgosi Kealeboga Sekisang of Sepitswana ward reiterated Kgosi Mosadi’s sentiments that the matter was sensitive and of a political nature.Stating that bogosi (traditional leadership) and politics should not mix,  Kgosi Ralph Chephethe said it was worrisome that the matter was no longer internal and was tarnishing Botswana’s image internationally.

 Kgosi Clement Kokwe of Lengana ward in Mogobane advised that intervention of Ntlo ya Dikgosi be sought. 

 Briefing the traditional leadership  during a consultative meeting in Ramotswa, Minister Autlwetse said the feud emerged soon after President Masisi took over from his predecessor.

  He acknowledged that  bringing the matter before traditional leaders was long overdue adding that it had the potential of destabilising the country and dividing citizens.

 Explaining why the dispute had dragged on for such a long time, Mr Autlwetse said several meetings were organised to bring the two to a common ground. 

First, President Masisi appointed a team of elders comprising former president Dr Festus Mogae, former cabinet minister Mr David Magang, former minister and speaker of the national assembly Mr Patrick Balopi and the late former speaker Mr Ray Molomo to mediate between him and his predecessor.

 “They agreed to meet the two individually at Mr Magang’s Phakalane office. They called President Masisi and interviewed him. Next they called Lt Gen Khama who refused to go to Phakalane but instead requested that the meeting take place at his office. The elders acceded to the request and just like they interviewed President Masisi, they did the same with him,” he added.

Minister Autlwetse said it emerged the former president’s bone of contention was several unmet demands including increasing the number of his cooks from one to three, assigning him 15 armed security officers and appointment as commander-in-chief of Botswana’s armed forces.

According to the minister, Gen Khama also felt cheated that President Masisi did not pick his brother Mr Tshekedi Khama for vice president preferring Mr Slumber Tsogwane instead. 

Minister Autlwetse said during the course of the interview,  Gen Khama felt the  team was biased  resulting in the issue being abandoned. 

The kgotla meeting heard that  President Masisi acceded to General Khama’s request to select a team of his own to handle the matter. He chose former cabinet minister Mr Charles Tibone, BDP treasurer and businessman Mr Satar Dada and former Botswana’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador  Legwaila Legwaila.

“Khama thought they too were biased on the assessment and accused them of unfairness. He felt they were doing the same thing as the previous team did of leaning towards President Masisi. He chose two other people to come and broker peace, DIS Director General Peter Magosi and SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi. The two never took up their new assignment as Gen Khama advised them to stop as he was thinking over the matter,” said Mr Autlwetse.

He said a delegation was dispatched from Gammangwato to facilitate a meeting with President Masisi on the issue. 

Minister Autlwetse said he met the delegation and explained that Gen Khama was the missing link for such as meeting to take place. By then the former was reportedly in South Africa.

He said negotiations collapsed as the delegation went back to Serowe and related a different story.

“We had parted on the note that they would come back with a suitable time for discussing the way forward. We are still open for discussions. We now appeal to you for help. Let us join forces to resolve this matter. Any advice is welcome,” he said.Mr Autlwetse had also explained that although the issue was political in nature because it involved politicians, it had  legal implications. 

“Has any law of Botswana been contravened? We need to establish if anyone’s rights had been violated. Politics aside, let us focus on the law. Its about the rule of law, application of the law,” he said. ENDS