Has BDF pushed Gen Mokgware out?

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Thursday February 11, 2010 00:00

 

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) confirmed yesterday that they have parted company with the man popular for such exercises as Operation Matsubutsubu.

During the exercise, selected members of the media were drafted in to experience what military training is.  Traditionally the BDF is the first to issue press releases about its retiring generals.

Usually the retiring generals leave in style with high profile farewell parties staged for them. However the two BDF spokesmen, Ben Ragalase and Colonel Mogorosi Baatweng seemed to be in a fix when they were interviewed by Mmegi about Mokgware.

They first referred questions to the Ministry of Defence and Security. They only provided answers after the Minister of Defence and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse asked them to respond.

First Ragalase referred the question to his senior, Baatweng, the BDF director of protocol and public relations. Baatweng shifted the burden to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence and Security, Augustine Makgonatsotlhe who did not honour his promise to phone back yesterday.

When contacted Seretse refused to speak on the fate of Mokgware and phoned Baatweng to answer questions.  Baatweng later phoned Mmegi and said: 'We confirm that Mokgware has retired from the army with immediate effect today (yesterday). I cannot say more. If you want more details phone the ministry,' he said.

Mmegi is reliably informed that Mokgware, who has been based at Glen Valley barracks, vacated his office  a few days ago.

At Glen Valley, an officer who answered the phone said that the commander of the Ground Forces has gone on leave. It is understood a certain Brigadier Modiko is now the acting commander of the Ground Forces. 

Speculation has been rife that Mokgware's days at the army are numbered after the powers that be by-passed him and appointed Oitsile Tiroyamodimo as deputy BDF commander last year.

Mokgware declined to respond to allegations that he has been pushed out of the army, saying that he is not yet ready to grant an interview.