Kwelagobe outsmarts Khama in face-off

The Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration is reported to have stood up to President Ian Khama and emerged as the foremost party loyalist possible, setting the stage for his faction's eminent take-over of the party's central committee.

Kwelagobe is said to be prepared to forego his cabinet position and the attendant perks, privileges and powers that go with it to serve the party. The minister successfully resisted Khama's attempt to attract him to cabinet and away from the party to the satisfaction of both his faction's faithful and the party followers. Khama dangled the carrot of cabinet positions in order to implement his plan to bar those contesting for party positions from cabinet or vice versa.