How Mokgware removed Masire from driver’s seat

Among his concerns, Mokgware is against the idea of the incumbent State President driving a car while there are professionally trained officers to do so. Speaking at a press conference by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Retired Members Association, Mokgware said he would never let a president drive himself. During the State of Emergency that started early last year, President Mokgweetsi Masisi was spotted arriving at different places driving a Toyota Hilux GD6 Double Cab driving himself.

Despite talks that Masisi’s life was touted to be in danger, even beyond SOE, and with low new COVID-19 cases, the President still drives the car with no single passenger. Former president Ian Khama, during his reign, was more often than not seen driving himself since early into his term. Former spy chief Isaac Kgosi, the man who was charged with the safety and security of the president, however, said the president “should not be like he is in prison”. He said there is no law that says the president should not drive a motor vehicle or ride a bicycle. “When I was a young lieutenant coming from military academy as a platoon commander, I was given the task of being the head of former President Masire’s escort.