Molale, you ain�t our boss

Mmegi Editor | Friday February 12, 2016 11:19

Free lesson we need to give Eric Molale, that he is not our boss, he does not, and will not dictate who we listen to, who and what we investigate and what we publish. Our boss is the reader. As free and independent media we serve one boss, and that boss is the public. On Tuesday, the minister proved us wrong when he went ballistic in the National Assembly accusing Mmegi of listening to a “mad man”.  The story in question was carried in the edition of January 8, 2016 in which Richard Kgotlhang exposed the underhand dealings of the Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS).

The disgruntled former hitman related chilling allegations of murders and attempted murders he was engaged in. Instead of addressing the issues at hand, the minister accused Mmegi of trying to tarnish the image of his government. As he went on, the MP for Gabane/Mmankgodi Pius Mokgware, the target of the alleged attempted poisoning by DIS, confirmed that he has reported the matter to the police, and demanded the minister to explain if his statement meant that the investigations were not going to proceed.

He did not offer any response to the question. Even surprising is that the minister did not condemn Mokgware for reporting “petty” issues to the police. Furthermore, honourable Molale confirmed a meeting between him, Gaborone Central MP Phenyo Butale, Mokgware, and DIS director general Isaac Kgosi to discuss the alleged assassination plot. The meeting did not end well with Kgosi blustering that the two MPs were spewing chaff. Interesting. A civil servant telling legislators that they were talking nonsense! Molale promised the House that he took responsibility to Kgosi’s behaviour and would ensure it never happens. 

In shifting the blame to Mmegi, Molale failed to address the pertinent issue of DIS alleged abuse and murderous activities. Even more worrying, Molale seems to not to know what the media is all about, and its role and whose interests it serves. Mmegi stands by the story.  He is an old guard in many respects. In the public service, the minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Eric Molale, has served under three Presidents - Sir Ketumile Masire, Festus Mogae and Ian Khama - in different capacities. 

It is therefore, not wrong to assume the most senior minister appreciates the role of the media in a democracy.

Today’s thought

“I further note that the same newspaper article also falsely reports that I, along with the Honourable Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, were subsequently informed about the matter at some unspecified time and date. I can assure this House that had either of us been actually informed about such a serious matter, we would have promptly referred it to the police.”

- Eric Molale