Khama's grand 2014 strategy

| Friday June 7, 2013 00:00

 

*Kgosi 'will resign' and join Cabinet <br>*Ndelu 'headed' for vice presidency

Isaac Kgosi, the Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Services (DIS) is poised to resign this year in preparation for an appointment into cabinet immediately after the 2014 general election. Insiders close to both the intelligence community and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) say this is part of President Ian Khama's grand strategy, following what he views as his assured victory in 2014, but most importantly the post-Khama presidency.

Although sources close to Kgosi said the intelligence man is not necessarily keen on the move, it is said his successor is already aware of the impending change. Khama is said to have prepared a plan for the forthcoming general election watching the primary events with a hawk-eye with a view to get the team he wants. He wants to put together a team to man the fort during his presidency but most importantly protect his legacy when he leaves. A source in Government Enclave tipped Mmegi this week that Kgosi has been told to prepare for his resignation at the end of the year. The source said that the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse is in line to succeed the retiring Ponatshego Kedikilwe as Vice President. Kgosi is primed to take over Seretse's cabinet docket. Reports say Kgosi will get to cabinet via special nomination to Parliament.

Khama is said to view the ascendance of Kgosi to defence chief as one way of protecting the security sector from what he sees as hostile interests. Khama's strategy often hinges on appointing those closest to him to what he regards as the most strategic positions in his government. Kedikilwe has made it clear that he will not be around in the post-2014 political landscape and many have been wondering who would be the next VP and potentially next president.

Meanwhile, Kgosi has dismissed the reports about his resignation and said that he is not a politician. 'If it means getting rid of me, the government can do that and I will go. But I will never be a politician,' said a visibly angry Kgosi. He compared the allegations with a situation in which an officer is forced to resign through demotion. 'This whole thing will be similar to when I want you to go and I push you by removing you from your office and delegating you to a position of a gardener,' he explained. Seretse claimed that he was in the dark about the plan to make him vice president. 'Go back to your source and ask him/her to tell you the truth because I do not know anything about these allegations,' he said.