Khama's Ex-Batman, Kgosi Confidante Breaks Silence
Thalefang Charles | Monday January 21, 2019 13:43
He has been subjected to investigations and lifestyle audits by the anticorruption agencies including the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) as well as the DIS. Even the taxman has visited him to ensure that he does not evade tax.
It is Baaitse’s lifestyle that has attracted scrutiny. He used to drive a Porsche Cayenne, which he swapped for his current automobile, a top of the range Mercedes Benz G-Wagon SUV. His wife is a ‘boss slay queen’ with an Instagram feed that is a dream for any girl. They check-in at penthouse suites in expensive cities like Dubai and fly First Class for shopping in designer boutiques from European cities like Paris and London.
Where does all these riches come from?
Baaitse, 43, who is also a pastor at High Praise Christian Church is from Mhalapitsa near Pilikwe in the Central District. He joined the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in 1992 aged 17.
In 1993, he was deployed on the United Nation’s Peace Keeping mission in Mozambique. Baaitse says it was in Mozambique where he was identified as hard working soldier.
“I was identified as one of the most hard working officers. Firstly, because I learnt Portuguese instantly while we were still at the border. So I managed to speak to both FRELIMO and RENAMO rebels,” he recalls.
It was in Mozambique where he caught the eye of the then BDF commander Lt. Gen. Ian Khama.
Baaitse says at the end of the mission when they returned home, the then Captain Isaac Kgosi who was in the military intelligence told his platoon commander from Mozambique that he (Baaitse) is instructed to report to the Commander’s office.
He was then deployed to be one of the Commander’s batmen. He says that was when he began to be a trusted servant of Khama until the commander quit BDF and joined politics in 1998.
In 1999 Baaitse too left the army at the rank of Lance Corporal to get into business. He reveals that he was inspired by fellow ex-soldier, Edward Tlotlego, who became his business mentor.
Baaitse then registered a construction company by the name El Shaddai Building Construction with the help of Tlotlego.
“I went to Khama at the OP, to inform him that I am leaving the BDF and he discouraged me saying that I am still new at BDF. He tried to convince me saying it is too early to leave, but I told him that my love and passion for the army is gone,” he recalls. He says after quitting the army and setting up his construction business things became really tough but he soldiered on.
He says he struck a deal with Satar Dada from Motor Centre Botswana to start a tourist shuttle transport between Kasane and Victoria Falls.
“In 2000, TK (Tshekedi Khama) came to me saying he wants to hire me to work in his company Seleka Springs, but I declined the offer saying I want to work for me,” he reveals. Baaitse says he persevered with his businesses until 2005 when he entered into security business.
“I registered Prevailing Securities in 2005. Prevailing Securities is not Khama’s brainchild as most media report. Actually Khama knew gore I am in security in 2012,” he explains.
Baaitse reveals that the founding directors of Prevailing Securities were himself and his sister. The sister later resigned and was replaced by his wife Charity Baaitse.
Prevailing Securities provides transport services for cash. The company even owns an aircraft that Baaitse says it is a secure way of transporting money. This is the aircraft that Khama showed interest to purchase.
“[Khama] wanted to know if I am willing sell it but I am not selling,” he says.
Due to the close relationship with Khama and Kgosi, Baaitse’s company has been labelled as a privileged entity that chowed big DIS tenders. But the Prevailing Securities man vehemently denies it.
“I have never done any tender for the DIS. Not me personally or any of my companies, including Prevailing Securities. I do not transport diamonds like some claim. We have never transported diamonds. People are just trying to destroy my name,” says Baaitse.
“I am in debt”
Baaitse says he has been subjected to lifestyle audit by both government anti-corruption agencies.
“The DIS, even under Kgosi once investigated me. The DCEC too investigated me. But they found nothing. All they found was debt,” reveals Baaitse. He says even the taxman visited him as well as the new DIS under Peter Magosi questioned him as recent as last September.
“There is a difference between being well-off and credit worthy. Ke dikoloto. I am in debt,” he states. Baaitse says his association with Khama has also made him enemies. He says it pains his heart when people lie saying, “O jele le Khama”.
He also says that most of the corrupt people would be found amongst those that suddenly switched allegiance to President Mokgweetsi Masisi because they are afraid to be scrutinised.
On Kgosi arrest, Baaitse says, “I called and spoke to him yesterday (Friday) just to check up on him. I will go and check up on him soon after the investigators are done.”
Baaitse who says he is a card-carrying member of the Botswana Democratic Party is amongst the reported backers of Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi in her bid to topple Mokgweetsi Masisi as party president. He however refuses to mention his preferred candidate in the race saying the party must come together before the general elections and reevaluate where they went wrong to have such fierce factions.
On the family front, Baaitse reveals that her wife has landed a good deal in the US. He rubbished last year’s rumours that suggested that they were going through a divorce.