Gen Mokgware joins top BMD organ

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Tuesday June 4, 2013 00:00

 

 Mokgware was appointed to the post on Saturday at the NEC's first meeting since the party's elective congress in Maun in April. 'We selected him and other party members as additional members of the NEC because we believe their skills and wealth of experience in various fields including politics will complement the skills we currently have within the NEC,' BMD secretary general Wynter Mmolotsi told Mmegi yesterday.

He added that Mokgware joined BMD months ago. The general left BDF in 2010 under controversial circumstances. He was expected to succeeded Lt-Gen Tebogo Masire as BDF commander but other developments that were not stated reportedly led to his retirement. Mokgware's BMD moves comes just days after the appointment of former BDF commander Lt-Gen Matshwenyego Fisher as Botswana's High Commissioner to Nigeria. He is one of the few former BDF officers to join an opposition party rather than the ruling BDP.Normally ex-soldiers join the BDP and get lucrative appointments.

These include Ramadeluka Seretse and Kitso Mokaila who are Ministers of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources and Defence, Justice and Security respectively.Meanwhile, Gaborone mayor, Haskins Nkaigwa was roped in as BMD treasurer. 'At our elective congress in Maun, party members resolved that as the general election approaches, we should look for a treasurer who can derive noble fundraising initiatives to boost party coffers.

The central committee was tasked with looking for such an individual and went for Nkaigwa. Based on his qualities we believe he can do the job (raising funds) for us,' Mmolotsi explained.Among prominent persons who have joined the BMD NEC as additional members are Joyce Ndove,  Francistown city deputy mayor and Joyce Mothudi, the former Botswana Congress Party women's wing leader. Others are Freddy Ramodisa, Senye Kono and Binkie Kerileng.