DIS trapped in UDC, BNF internal wars
A rift is reportedly growing within the highest ranks of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), with senior officials allegedly split between the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and its affiliate, the Botswana National Front (BNF).
Within the BNF, the DIS is allegedly divided between the two factions vying for the party’s leadership, with one led by State President Minister Moeti Mohwasa and the other by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana.
Ramaotwana is the BNF’s Deputy Secretary General and Member of Parliament for Gaborone South, while Mohwasa, a Specially Elected MP, is an additional member in the BNF central committee.
Botswana Guardian has gathered intelligence suggesting of plans within BNF to get rid of MP for Mmadinare who is also Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Ketlhalefile Motshegwa.
Insiders claim that such an ouster is designed to bring in Mohwasa as the area MP in the event the plan is successful and a by-election for the constituency is called.
The BNF is taking care of the Constituency on behalf of the UDC. The relationship between Motshegwa and his President is not a cosy one as the duo once clashed over BNF representation within the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC).
It is alleged that the bigger picture is to remove Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe from his seat so that he remains only with the Ministry of Finance. Sources within the UDC have revealed that post the BNF Palapye Congress, Gaolathe would be forced to let go of the other portfolio being the VP seat.
Gaolathe will be replaced with Mohwasa as Vice President of the country, a plan many believe will paralyse the UDC administration and could force the AP to ditch the UDC.
Analysts have noted that such changes would likely prompt a broader re-examination of positions within the coalition, which currently includes a structure where the BNF holds the presidency, the
Alliance for Progressives (AP) the Vice Presidency, and the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) the chairmanship.
In this context, the AP assumed the slot originally held by the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) after the latter departed following internal disagreements. If these internal adjustments proceed as speculated, there is a possibility that Mohwasa might succeed Adv. Boko as the BNF and UDC President when his term concludes.
Former Minister and MP for Mmadinare, Molebatsi Molebatsi is alleged to have also been engaged in a secret meeting to lure him to support Mohwasa in the event the by-election occurs. Molebatsi, a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) member, is seen as an influential figure within the constituency who, 'if he had not been cheated' during the BDP’s controversial 2024 Bulela-Ditswe, would have won the general election.
Insiders have pointed out that should Gaolathe be removed, this could affect the government of the day negatively.
“If it happens, the fiscal position of the country will be at risk. As things stand you need the person of Gaolathe’s calibre to manage the economy as we try to recover and stabilise the economy,” a
source at government enclave said.
It is further argued that this could raise and trigger tribal differences which is a sensitive matter. Tribalism is already one of the burning issues within the BNF as some members have started labelling others vying for central committee positions along tribal lines especially those of Kalanga origin.
DIS caught in the cross-fire
As the tension heats up within the coalition and the BNF, Botswana Guardian has established that the DIS is also caught up in the factional wars.
“The BNF congress is important because it is their first while in power. Camps with fund power will emerge as it was with the past BDP regime. The BNF is the anchor of the UDC.
The BNF wars could collapse the UDC. Now the DIS has two factional camps, one led by Director General Peter Magosi and another by his Deputy Aobakwe Moemedi Monamo,” a source within the UDC NEC said.
Sources within the intelligence agency have also revealed that Magosi supports Ramaotwana’s lobby while Monamo supports Mohwasa’s lobby. Information gathered by this publication suggests that if Ramaotwana’s faction wins, Boko will be weakened and isolated within the BNF and UDC.
“The president will feel threatened both internally and externally. He will be vulnerable and he will not fire Magosi. This is because Mohwasa’s team wants Magosi replaced with Monamo as the DG.
There is a likelihood of Mohwasa’s team winning all its bid. Indications show that both Gaolathe and Motshegwa do not have the numbers to push their agenda,” a senior officer at DIS said.
Sources at DIS suggest that Mohwasa's increased security is in preparation for the Vice President role, rather than being a response to any actual threat. A DIS officer also noted that his actions resemble those of a Vice President.
Gaolathe and Motshegwa have not responded to questionnaires sent to them last week even to the follow-ups made this week.
Press Secretary to the President Emang Mutapati responded, 'Just as a quick observation, the president cannot fire an MP who is elected into office by the people. However, kindly refer these questions to the BNF office because they are of a political nature.'
Minister Mohwasa’s response
'I am not aware of any plan to fire Rre Motshegwa from the cabinet, the BNF SG position, and the BNF itself. You suggest that this imaginary plan seeks to pave the way for me to run in a bye-election in Mmadinare that will arise out of this expulsion.
I thought it was common knowledge that a councillor or MP who gets expelled by his/her party doesn't lose his/her position. I, however, need to also clarify that I have no plans to contest for Mmadinare constituency.
We are aware that those who peddle this story about a plot to unseat Cde Gaolathe are part of the grand plan that seeks to destabilise the UDC.
It involves feeding gullible reporters with manufactured lies about other party members, the sole intention being to tarnish their images. The reporters used consistently carry favourable stories about
the lies peddlers.
I have not met Molebatsi Molebatsi recently, let alone to discuss the allegations you are raising. I never thought I would find myself in a position where I have to respond to such contrived, spurious, and malicious allegations.'
Molebatsi’s response
I have not met any delegation from BNF, but I have had individuals from BNF and other parties asking me to join them.
Of course DGB (President Boko) talked to me about considering joining UDC, much as Dumelang Saleshando (BCP) and Reggie Reatile (BPF) did. In Politics we do get calls and visits by Party Leadership recruiting us to their political parties.
Regarding meetings with my people to assist Mohwasa: It’s not true! Since the last BDP Primary Elections, I have taken a decision to focus on my businesses and when the time comes for me to come back, I’ll come back full force.
And I do meet with my supporters. I was in Sefophe last weekend and met with my supporters who are now part of me! It had nothing to do with BNF politics or anything to do with assisting Mohwasa.
DIS’s response (Public Relations Director- Edward Robert)
Kindly note that Section 16 (1) (a) of the Intelligence and Security Services (ISS) Act (2007) prohibits all officers of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) from engaging in activities of any political party let alone acting as an agent of any such political party.
It should be noted that the Directorate is currently undergoing transformation and aims to anchor its functions and activities on Government’s pillars promoting professionalism, accountability and human-rights at all times.
In view of this, Directorate employees can therefore not participate in activities that call into question the exercise of its mandate as established in the ISS Act.