Seretse rejects top security post

Bame Piet | Friday March 27, 2015 18:00

 

Word is rife at Government Enclave that Seretse could be appointed the inaugural head of the counter-terrorism unit.

“There is that possibility that he will get the position, either as a consultant, or any such position created by the authorities. He will be reporting directly to the President,” said a highly placed source.

Although the source was not in a position to state the designation, he was confident that the appointment will be made before end of the year.

The source added that there is disquiet with the planned appointment given the perceived hostile relationship between Seretse and the head of Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) Isaac Kgosi.

It is understood tension between the two resulted in relocation of DIS from Seretse’s ministerial docket to Office of the President about two years ago. The new counter-terrorism unit is supposed to work closely with DIS.

Seretse has laughed off reports that he is about to be given a job in the civil service. He termed the reports as a “hopeless rumour”. He said he was aware that he has been associated with a job at DIS but claimed that there is confusion on the matter.

He explained that following the enactment of  the Counter-Terrorism Act last year, he has been associated with the position of the head of the organisation to be formed under the new law.

“The organisation will be mandated to collate information on terrorism, and will have a head at the level of director or director general who will be reporting directly to, and advising the President,” Seretse explained.

“I have been told by some people that I was going to be appointed to that position. They have always been saying that, including you in the media,” Seretse said.

He said that at the moment, pending the establishment of the organisation, the DIS handles counter-terrorism threats.

Speaking from Kasane yesterday, Seretse said that he was not interested in the position, as his focus is on winning the race for the chairmanship of the BDP.

“If there is anything of that nature coming my way, I am not interested. My focus is on the chairmanship of the party,” he said. The former minister was satisfied with the progress of his campaign for the top BDP post.

He will be facing former cabinet minister Tebelelo Seretse, cabinet minister, Tshekedi Khama, legislator Biggie Butale, Dithapelo Tlholego and Boikobo Diile.