mmegi

Where are the proverbial beans?

Leagajang PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Leagajang PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Three years after promising to spill the beans on what could have precipitated tension between past immediate president Ian Khama and his successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the latter is yet to live up to his much touted promise. In this Q&A session Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE speaks to Press Secretary to the President, Batlhalefi Leagajang who could not shed light on the Khama/Masisi feud

Mmegi: The public is waiting with bated breath for our Head of State to explain in detail the source of differences between him (President Masisi) and his predecessor, former president Ian Khama. Can the President please give a hint of what could have brought about the differences between the mentor (Khama) and the mentee (Masisi)?

Leagajang: In our view your statement is not a representation of the public’s views. In fact, the nation has expressed detest for the perceived conflict you are referring to.

However, we wish to put it on record as we have done on numerous occasions that His Excellency, the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has a constitutional duty to fulfill and that is where his focus is.

The President has a nation to continue saving from being ravaged by COVID-19, an economy to resuscitate following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and he has pledges made during the elections that he is laser focused on fulfilling. On a lighter note, having been former president Khama’s vice president does not automatically make President Masisi the former’s mentee.

Mmegi: I remember in 2019 at Rakops village when launching His Honour the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, President Masisi promised the nation to spill the beans or ‘phantsha’ as he had said in the vernacular. How far do you think the President is from spilling the beans?

Leagajang: There are many developmental stories that our office is ready to sit and share with you not these trivial issues. Please refer to the RESET Agenda, which outlines the President’s priorities and let’s do a story on what government has achieved so far and the challenges.

Mmegi: The President Masisi-led government has been quiet on allegations raised by Khama outside the country where he is on self-imposed exile accusing the current regime of attempting to kill him, persecute him and his family through what he labels meritless prosecutions and ultimately forcing him out of the country. What is your comment on this? Leagajang: The government of the Republic of Botswana is not aware of the self-imposed exile you are referring to. Former president Lt General (Ret) Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s whereabouts are known to government. You may recall that the government as stipulated in the relevant Act has facilitated his current trips to the USA and Europe.

Mmegi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently raised concerns when appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that rivalry between President Masisi and Khama was tarnishing the integrity of Botswana, specifically Khama’s negative comments about the country. How long is the Office of the President going to allow this to go on without taking action?

Leagajang: Please refer this question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as they are the ones that appeared at the PAC on that particular

date.

Mmegi: Recently whilst addressing a kgotla meeting in Serowe, President Masisi assured the villagers that once details of his differences with Khama are released, the nation will be shocked. Could you kindly explain this?

Leagajang: Please refer to question 1 answer. We wish to assure you of our commitment to working with the media, as it is an integral part of our democracy. We however, wish to caution against focusing on non-developmental issues, which do not touch people’s lives in any way.

Let us share and discuss developmental stories and help contribute towards the development of this nation. Finally, I request that you do not paraphrase my response but rather use it as is to avoid distortion of facts as this will prompt us to publish this as is for clarity.

Editor's Comment
Is our screening adequate?

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