Speaker in shock as Magosi withdraws security
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday November 9, 2018 12:51
Apparently, the decision was taken without proper consultation with Kokorwe and sources suspect the current leadership might had been annoyed by the fact that the former President, Ian Khama had gone to check Kokorwe at her home recently and requested her to be the chairperson for National Housing Appeal (NHA). Khama is the patron for the NHA since its launch in 2008.
Two security personnel were withdrawn recently when Kokorwe had gone to South Africa for medical attention. The Speaker has been left with the driver only. Kokorwe was given two bodyguards during the Ian Khama regime, after her life was perceived to be in danger. She was the first Speaker of the National Assembly to be guarded wherever she went.
“I cannot comment on any matter while I am on sick leave,” was all Kokorwe, whose term ends next year, could say when approached.
Kokorwe will be reporting back to work next Monday. According to a source, Kokorwe was hurt because the director general of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Peter Magosi took the decision without consultation with her about the matter.
“Kokorwe only came for one meeting after she found out that the leadership was unhappy with the idea. She has since resigned from the committee. It is clear that they are slowly pushing her out,” another source said.
Khama and the current President Mokgweetsi Masisi relationship have been sour. On Monday when Masisi was delivering the State of Nation Address (SONA), he told the nation that the transition from the previous administration has not been smooth as expected.
“However, it ought to be noted, I have in my attempt to smoothen the process engaged senior citizens namely former President Festus Mogae, former Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Ray Molomo, Patrick Balopi and David Magang to assist and lead in smoothening the transition. I regret to announce that their efforts have not borne fruit up to this point,” Masisi said. Khama has since dismissed that assertion as misleading.
In response to Mmegi questionnaire DIS spokesperson, Robert Edward said: “The decision to deploy or not to deploy is based on security threat assessment. The exercise would then inform us as to where to deploy and by how much.
However, from time to time the decision is subjected to a process of review and following a review a decision can be made to either increase, reduce or withdraw the protection staff. In this case, after review it was determined that the Honourable Speaker of The National Assembly’s threat level had changed. The situation was no longer the same as in June 2016 when it was decided to provide the security personnel”.
Edward said a communication to the effect was made to the Office of Clerk of the National Assembly on October 23, 2018. “The office was advised to make necessary arrangements to ensure smooth handover. The office was further informed that the security detail was required to beef up security in areas that had elevated threat posture. From the six officers that were deployed initially, only one remains to enable the Office of the Clerk to make necessary arrangements.”