New faces, fresh Cabinet twist
Mbongeni Mguni | Wednesday October 29, 2014 17:51
Permanent Secretary to the President, Eric Molale caused surprise when he made it to Khama’s list of preferred Specially Elected Members of Parliament (SEMPs), sparking expectations that he would swing straight into Cabinet, likely within the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.
Molale was appointed PSP in 2003 after the departure of Molosiwa Selepeng and completed former President Festus Mogae’s two terms.
Another SEMP, Unity Dow, has further rattled the Cabinet composition speculation. Dow, a former High Court Judge, was hammered in Mochudi West by Gilbert Mangole of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in the weekend elections.
Her selection yesterday immediately triggered conjecture that she was destined for the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security. Khama had been widely expected to bring back former minister and cousin, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, who lost the ruling party’s primaries last year.
“The move also presents another possibility that the Ministry could be dissolved and divided into two – that of Justice and another of Defence and Security, headed by two separate ministers,” said a political analyst who requested anonymity.
“If the Ministry remains intact, it will be because the security portfolio is largely run from the Office of the President, while the most difficult aspects of the defence portfolio have the Defence Council and the Commander in Chief.”
Dow made international headlines in the early 90s as a plaintiff in a High Court case that ended in amendment of legislation on citizenship of children and their biological parents.
She was in a panel of judges in the high profile Roy Sesana/Basarwa case versus the government of 2006 and was also appointed by the African Union to sit in the Commission investigating the bloodshed around the 2007 Kenya.
Matambo’s return, as predicted by Mmegi yesterday, is seen as linked to the continuation of his duties at the Finance Ministry, particularly since he still has the development of the 2015/16 budget and the National Development Plan 11.
Seen as a core ministry, Khama and his predecessors have historically protected the Finance Ministry from Cabinet reshuffles and unwarranted changes, as it is seen as critical in preserving growth and instilling investor confidence.
Matambo, also, is credited with steering the economy through the global recession and restoring it gradually to better health, through prudent policies.
Key financiers and development partners such as the African Development Bank, World Bank and International Monetary Fund would also prefer continuity in the key ministry.
The selection of Kitso Mokaila as the last SEMP, has led to speculation that he will return to his former duties at the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources.
“He still owes the nation the Morupule B power station and he has been handling that mess for sometime,” said our source.
“He is the best person to know what went wrong and is the best person to complete the task.
“There are also numerous developments in the ministry, such as the establishment of the state-owned mining company, the fuel sector, water development and others, which require his special set of skills.”
Ahead of yesterday’s specially elected votes, it had been expected that former Foreign Affairs minister, Phandu Skelemani, would also receive the “get-out-of-jail-free card”, as Khama has seemed to favour veterans for foreign policy.
However, in his absence, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is tipped to get the nod, as she possesses the diplomacy, experience, mien and toughness to tackle the sensitive portfolio.
“She would definitely make a good representative of the country especially as she once headed the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“She has proved to be a diplomatic but tough debater, who could fit in comfortably with the robust discussions in SADC, AU and at the UN.”