Welcome BDF Commander Placid Segokgo

Mmegi Editor | Tuesday September 6, 2016 11:13

He is taking over the reigns from Galebotswe Gaolathe who is retiring.

It is obvious that Segokgo who joined the army in 1983 has a wealth of experience that he will apply to take the army forward as did his predecessors Mompati Merafhe, Matshwenyego Fisher, Tebogo Masire, and Gaolathe Galebotswe.

However, the most important thing that the new Commander should not overlook is the interaction of the military and the civilians, something his immediate predecessor Galebotswe failed dismally. During his time, GG never bothered to continue what his predecessor Tebogo Masire did – engaging with the civilian population through the media.  There are many incidents that took place between 2013 when GG took over, and now which needed his clarification. One good example is the reported missing spy equipment, which placed two powerful military men – one from the military police and the other from military intelligence, against each other.

For reasons best known to him, the former army commander did not see the importance of explaining the saga, or atleast giving his side of the story.

Of course we appreciate the fact that military operations are sensitive by nature, but the controversial army hairstyle, and other policies were never explained to the civilian population, although it takes a few resources for the BDF to hold a press briefing.

Such resources are a venue, normally the BDF conference room, and a few high ranking personnel to accompany the commander.

The most important of the resources is recognition of the fact that one is holding the office on behalf of the nation, and therefore should account to the nation.

It is our hope that commander Segokgo will correct this undoing and revive the army interaction with the civilian population and demystify this entity.  The interaction will also clear the mist or reports that there is a lot of corruption in the army and that some individuals have reaped where they had not sown.

There are reports that the army has produced millionaires who otherwise would not have been born if there was transparency, and accountability.  The aforementioned are some of the reasons why the new commander should open his door for civilians, and particularly journalists who are the eyes and ears of the taxpayer.

Today’s thought

'Openness, transparency - these are among the few weapons the citizenry has to protect itself from the powerful and the corrupt... and that is the best thing that WikiLeaks has done'. 

– Michael Moore