Tshekedi Khama leads the VP pack
Staff Writer | Friday February 2, 2018 17:32
Khama’s last term in office comes to an end on March 31, 2018 and his VP, Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to take over the reins of power on April 1, 2018 until the next general elections in October 2019. Sources close to Cabinet claim that the Serowe West MP, Tshekedi Khama is likely to succeed Masisi as the next VP in April.
“Apparently there is a belief that without him [Tshekedi], the centralists will dump the party in protest,” one of the sources said. It is also alleged that supporters of Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Nonofo Molefhi are regrouping around Tshekedi.
Masisi vanquished the Molefhi faction at an elective congress in Tonota last year. Despite his resounding victory in Tonota, Masisi’s colleagues believe he is weak. “Masisi himself is not popular within the party. He will only assert himself if he wins as he would have a full five year term,” another source said.
They added that Masisi won because he had the advantage of being the VP. “You know people vote with their tummies. In terms of freebies, he [Masisi] was and is in a position to offer them as compared to the likes of Molefhi.”
To demonstrate that Masisi is not popular as a majority of supporters think he is, the VP survived a motion of no confidence thanks to President Khama.
“Circumstances conspired against his plans. It’s the reason why the motion of no confidence was engineered against him by his Cabinet colleagues last year February but failed.” Apparently his Cabinet colleagues said Masisi was not involving them in the recruitment drive and recruited and worked with former opposition members.
“They also said he did not have a likeable personality. President Khama finally stepped in after two weeks of the debate and told all to fall in line or quit.” It is alleged Tshekedi supported the motion of no confidence against the VP.
Masisi’s detractors plan was to have the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Vincent Seretse as an interim vice president and this would have paved way for Tshekedi this year in April.
Because Khama intervened and saved his vice, now Masisi is obliged to reciprocate, the source claimed.
“Masisi did not think he will survive but Khama saved him. He will have to appoint Khama’s younger brother as his vice when he takes over the presidency. Forget the fact that Tshekedi and Masisi do not see eye to eye, Masisi owes Khama a big favour. It is payback time. As you might know, Tshekedi also has a sense of entitlement.”
But others are of the view that Molefhi would make a good choice as the vice president. “He will complement Masisi as he has a likeable personality and demeanour,” a Molefhi sympathiser said.
He added: “Nobody wants Tshekedi but they cannot openly come out lest they offend the brother. I suspect payback will come after the 1st of April. For now Khama still holds all the cards”.
Others believe Masisi will do a stopgap appointment and then have a substantive vice president if he wins in 2019.
And other names mentioned are those of Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Slumber Tsogwane. “We cannot rule out the fact that people are fed up by the Khamas. And there might be a revolt if Masisi appoints Tshekedi. The move would be extremely unwise but Khama is still powerful. It is the reason why Masisi cannot say anything or do anything.”