Posthumous allegations taint ex- minister legacy
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 11, 2025 11:30
Many who interacted with him in his years of public service often spoke of his calm temperament, dedication to his work, and a preference for staying out of the political spotlight. However, in a startling turn of events, his legacy is now being questioned following disturbing allegations that surfaced shortly before his death.
Lelatisitswe, who passed away at the age of 47, was recently alleged to have been involved in a violent domestic dispute, with claims suggesting he had physically assaulted his girlfriend during a heated altercation. He is alleged to have hanged himself after having a dispute with a girlfriend. Lelatisitswe was alleged to have beaten her to a point where the girlfriend got admitted to the hospital.
However, these posthumous revelations have triggered a complex wave of emotions and debates across the nation. While some mourn the loss of a man they saw as a servant leader, others are grappling with the disturbing nature of the allegations and what they mean for his public image.
To understand the weight of these revelations, it is important to reflect on Lelatisitswe’s journey in politics and public service. He entered the political arena in 2013, making a significant impact within the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). His emergence came during the primary elections for the then newly demarcated Boteti East constituency, which had been carved out following the division of the larger Boteti constituency into Boteti East and Boteti South. Running against the seasoned political figure Lebonaamang Mokalake, Lelatisitswe’s campaign was seen as bold and unexpected.
The primary race was fierce and made considerable noise within party circles. Against all odds, Lelatisitswe secured victory, a win that was viewed by many as a shift towards a younger, more grassroots-connected generation of leaders within the BDP.
His 2014 election to Parliament marked the beginning of a career characterised by diligence, humility, and a focus on community. Boteti South MP and also lands and housing minister, Mokalake lost the BDP parliamentary primary elections re-run by a margin of 73 votes to Lelatisitswe. Lelatisitswe had emerged victorious after garnering 1,575 votes, followed closely by Mokalake with 1,502 while Oboetswe Gabotlale came third with 32 votes.
The re-run followed the primary elections that were held on November 9, 2013 where Lelatisitswe emerged the winner with 1,460 votes followed by Mokalake with 1,324, while Gabotlale came last with 917 votes. The decision to conduct a re-run, which only featured parliamentary candidates, was taken by the party following Gabotlale's protest citing some irregularities rendering the electoral process not free and fair.
The re-run saw a total number of 3,108 BDP members in the consituency that had been renamed Boteti East taking part in the polls compared to the 3,701 that voted at the November 2013 primary election. Meanwhile, the returning officer by then, Kabo Morwaeng hailed the electoral process as free and fair. Morwaeng said after counting of the ballots, which was done at the respective polling stations, the polling agents representing candidates accepted the results as there was no report of irregularities.
Even though the results were released in the absence of other two candidates, Mokalake and Gabotlale, the returning officer did not see it as a sign of protest adding that it could be due to the fact that they were somehow held up and so could not make it to the venue where the final results were released.
In Parliamentary, Lelatisitswe served in committees such Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as chairperson, Youth, Sports and Culture (chairperson), Health and HIV/AIDs (member), Communications, Works, Transport and Technology (member), Wildlife, Tourism, Natural Resources and Climate Change (member) and Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises (member).
While in Cabinet, he served as Health Minister- September 27 2024 to October 31, 2024 and Assistant Minister of Health- May 2019 to September 2024.
On the academic front, he held a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (strategic management) from University of South Africa (UNISA)- Pretoria and diploma in pharmacy Technology 2001 (Institute of Health Sciences –Gaborone). May his soul rest in eternal peace.