Restoring the battered reputation
Ryder Gabathuse | Monday December 2, 2024 15:28
The nation is still reeling in shock following a chilling incident that saw a speedy young man wielding a paper beating a cluster of security officers and landing at the genesis guard of honour inspected by President Boko to the chagrin of the nation fretted by the protection of Botswana’s sixth President. Worse, regional and international guests were probably disenchanted by a man who in broad daylight exposed the ineptness of Botswana’s combined security agents as they were caught literally napping. Although allegations are that the young man was to fortuitously lodge a complaint to the President, the nation still has no clues of his intentions, whether good or bad.
Not so long ago, during the US presidential elections, US President Donald Trump, whilst a presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, survived an assassination attempt while speaking at an open-air campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. He was shot and wounded in his upper right ear by a man identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks. This on its own dictates that the security officers at all times should be on red alert and leave nothing to chance and thwart all possible threats to the VVIPs such as the head of State and government.
The whole lapse (Botswana’s) at the National Stadium), a first of its kind for our country, suggested to some extent that Boko just on his first day was not in safe hands. To the President, his security is key at all times, whether flying or on the road. It should also be a team that the President trusts. A breach that occurred in full glare of the public at the National Stadium must have left the heads of the national security organs (the Botswana Police Service, the Botswana Defence Force and the Directorate of Inteligence and Security - DIS) worried and embarrassed at their failure to provide the requisite security at such a crucial platform.
In 1984, a sad story occurred in India when the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Ghandi, was assassinated by the security on her way to be interviewed by British actor, Peter Ustino, who was filming a documentary. On that day, reports show that Ghandi was not wearing her bulletproof vest as such she paid heavily with her life. This was despite security advice that the vest should be worn at all times.
A lapse in security should never be taken lightly as it can have far-reaching consequences on the national security and most importantly the protection of the First Citizen.
Back to Boko’s close protection officers in Mahalapye. Last Saturday, Peter Magosi, the Director General of the DIS at a crowded kgotla meeting to welcome President Boko and his entourage post October 30 General Election, duly renewed hope for the somewhat battered reputation of the security agents in full view of the euphoric and partisan masses. The close protection officers were in their element as they demonstrated their prowess in protecting the President with everything they had, including their bodies. No lapses this time.
In simple terms, their posture depicted men ready to even die for their President. They were simply ready for any eventuality on the day, as they seemed set not to be deceived by beliefs that Botswana is very safe. They provided their very all against the euphoric crowd that had thronged Mahalapye kgotla to have a glimpse of, “That’s my boy!’ as Boko prefers to be called, against the formalities of being addressed as ‘His Excellency’.
There were whistling, ululations and deafening cheers as Boko disembarked from his official black Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) sending the villagers into another frenzy. The only time the villagers saw a similar official vehicle was when former president Mokgweetsi Masisi was in their village before the October 30 national polls to address them at the same venue on a different agenda.
Confined to the red carpet, Boko who was keen to mingle with the people found himself diametrically restricted by well-built men who seemed to have well rehearsed their skills for the art of protecting the President. Like well-trained karatekas doing kata, legs stretched a bit forward with their palms looking like they were punching the air, pushing forward as they parried people who wanted to shake hands with the President. Even when Boko showed love to the young boys and girls, he was strictly under the watchful eyes of his men who invidiously pushed and shoved keeping people at bay. At some stage, they almost joined hands behind the President, ensuring that no one came in between them during the execution of their onerous function. It was apparent that Magosi and his men had taken their time to rehearse and master the movements of the President especially in a crowded situation like at the recent kgotla meeting in order to effectively manage him. Otherwise, the situation could have been worse as meeting with the villagers, the President appeared very emotional and attached to his home village. He wanted to mingle more, but the unrelenting security men worked hard to confine the President to the red carpet.
It was also clear that mapping up a security operation of that magnitude might have taken the entire team a fortune because Boko has his own way of doing things. Studying the President’s preferences in public, especially within such a short space of time of him occupying the highest office in the land might have been a daunting task. Understanding the President’s preferences is also another challenge on its own and requires a closer understanding of what the President needs to be doing more so that Boko is still acclimatising to security arrangements of this nature.
The security agents were kitted in black suits and white shirts that duly matched the President’s black suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. It was like a match made in heaven for the security men and the President. It was, however, clear that the security agents manning the protection of the President were sharp-witted, physically built and decisive in the execution of their function on the day. To the civilians, Magosi and his men were akin to Hollywood actors intentional to keep their roles by hook or crook, than losing them like a role in a soap opera.
In a movement akin to a military drill, the security agents took steps almost in slow motion but in a well-coordinated fashion that ensured that they kept pace with the President who enjoyed the warm hospitality of the masses that had thronged the village kgotla. One has to be strong to be part of the presidential security detail as there is a lot of pushing and shoving that is endured to control the public whose desire was only to meet and shake hands with the President. At least the villagers appreciated that the President is the most protected person. They felt it and witnessed it.
Magosi manned the crowd from the right hand side of the President, simply clearing the path for the President as people wanted to swamp him (Boko) in appreciation of one of their own who has led the coalition parties under the ambit of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) to victory, ousting one of Africa’s longest ruling party, the BDP from the seat of power. Magosi’s eyes behind the dark goggles darted all over the place ensuring that his men were so tight on this assignment. They definitely needed to create a positive impression or nothing, not just to the President but also to Batswana at large.
Magosi and his men seemed to be communicating something only understood by them. They issued alerts and tips through facial expressions and hands, something that the majority of the people could not pick easily. They were able to ensure that the President was led to where they wanted and not very far from the red carpet, which seemed to be the pinpoint.
Boko is also the leader of the Botswana National Front (BNF), which is contracted to the UDC. Mahalapye is not just Boko’s home village; this is also where the remains of the BNF’s founding father, Dr Kenneth Koma’s are interred. No wonder even at this kgotla meeting, some BNF enthusiasts found comfort in greeting each other excitedly with tightened hands, a symbol of unity, which the BNF stands for.
As for Boko, he might have felt it in his spirit as a man of faith that he was well protected and very safe on the day. A smile permanently frozen on his baby face depicted him as a man content with his security detail. He could not bury his emotions and the Mahalapye weekend meeting will go down into the history books as one of the President’s best. As for the young boys and girls who hugged and shook hands with the President, they must have wished the kgotla meeting did not end.
Boko, who hails from Xhosa ward in Mahalapye, made the villagers proud with a rare feat of opposition winning the national polls after nearly six decades of one ruling party.
He is the first State President to come from Mahalapye, but the fourth to come from the Central District after Sir Seretse Khama (late), Festus Mogae and Ian Khama whilst others, Sir Ketumile Masire (also late) and past immediate, Mokgweetsi Masisi, are southerners. The President’s close protection officers will remain under the radar of the public since the advent of the National Stadium security lapse that set tongues wagging. For that, the security agents shall remain the cynosure of the public eyes.