Former Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development Thapelo Matsheka has been dropped from cabinet, apparently after a bitter fallout with his principal, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
“It is true the state and party President Masisi has informed me about the development. I am still a member of the Botswana Democratic Party in good standing. This gives me enough time to spend with Lobatse residents who had voted for me,” Matsheka said in an interview today.
The demotion of his nemesis has seen the promotion of party loyalists like Machana Shamukuni who was the assistant minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, now Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mpho Balopi. Aubrey Lesaso, formerly an opposition legislator, has been rewarded with the post of Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology.

In addition, Eric Molale has been transferred to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development, whilst Talita Monnakgotla has been promoted from the backbench to be the new Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, taking Kgotla Autlwetse’s position who is now elevated to the substantive position at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as Minister. Molebatsi Molebatsi has been transferred to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security whilst Beauty Manake has transferred to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry as Assistant Ministers in their respective ministries.
