Following utterances by the Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi expressing concern over negative incidents involving Botswana Defence Force (BDF) members, which he says drag the institution’s reputation in the mud, the BDF commander, Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo has visited camps to address them on the matter.
Segokgo embarked on what the BDF terms as “a leader and soldier engagement” visiting major BDF Camps across the country. Some of the important topics covered in his address included general updates to soldiers on issues related to operations but most importantly social issues affecting soldiers like suicide and financial management.
Recently social media went ablaze over a pornographic video which allegedly involved a member of the army. The officer whose clip went viral was said to be sexually involved with an unidentified woman. The issue also made it to the frontpage of a local newspaper. The BDF has been on headlines for the wrong reasons since the beginning of 2022 with recurring incidents of homicide and suicide. Across the country, BDF members also appear in different courts of law in relation to crimes such as rape, defilement, and murder. This continues to happen despite the institution’s effort to offer psycho-social support to the army officers.
“I was embarrassed by one of the local newspapers’ frontpage last weekend, I could not read it. After receiving that newspaper I immediately threw it inside the dustbin because I was humiliated. You are a disciplined organisation and I am pleading with you to behave as such,” Mmusi said at the time.
On his trips, the BDF, the commander also reminded soldiers that issues of personal safety and equipment care are key in maintaining BDF's force readiness. The Commander also discussed issues of welfare, career progression, accommodation status, professional military interaction just to mention but a few. The first phase of his address covered Glen Valley and Sir Seretse Khama Barracks, Thebephatshwa Air Base and Rakhuna Base Camp. He concluded his last phase of engagements in Maun Base Camp after addressing troops in Francistown and Selibe Phikwe. The Commander also addressed soldiers in Pemba and Muenda who are deployed in Mozambique as part of SAMIM.
