Khama’s loyalist flees the country
Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) Office Head Administrator, Masego Baitseng has fled the country, allegedly for fear of her life following harassment by Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) officers.
Sources say that Baitseng has left the country for the UK following several encounters with the intelligence officers who demanded some information regarding former President Ian Khama and the BPF.
She is said to have become a target since last year following the arrest and detention of the Khama twin brothers, Tshekedi and Anthony in March 2022. After their arrest, on the line were BPF loyalist and party women’s league chairperson Catherine Sepora.
Before joining the BPF Baitseng had been one of the longest serving officers at Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) head office in Gaborone.
Baitseng has worked under Khama’s full term at the BDP and has been a close loyalist. At the BDP she worked as a personal assistant to the Executive Secretary and was dismissed in 2017, which left her unemployed.
Information reaching Botswana Guardian suggests that Baitseng like many others who are close to Khama have been targets of law enforcement and political harassment following the fallout between the former president and the current president, Mokgweetsi Masisi which dates back to 2018.
The rivalry between the two heads of state has left many in the political and public service, especially law enforcement bruised.
Khama is now the Patron of the BPF which was formed in 2019. Baitseng is said to have confided to her friends and relatives that she lives in fear of political repression or being harmed.
She worked with both Khama and Masisi and it is believed that she possesses significant insider information regarding both Presidents and their parties.
While Khama contends that he and those close to him are being harassed because the current President and his party are threatened by the influence he may wield in the upcoming elections, government and the ruling BDP
have on several occasions dismissed such claims.
The government has been accused of using all strategies to prevent the growth and development of the BPF. Khama currently has a warrant of arrest hanging over his head as the prosecution wants him brought into the country from South Africa to face criminal charges.
A lot has been said in the media regarding a warrant of arrest being issued and extradition from South Africa to Botswana. People close to Khama are said to be now living in fear of either being arrested or monitored in whatever they do.
Contacted, Baitseng confirmed fearing for her life. She would however not disclose where she currently resides. According to Baitseng, a lot of threats - most of which were verbal or through mysterious phone calls – were issued for her to leave BPF.
“This became intense when the former president went to South Africa, I received random calls that I was asked where he is and as head of the office I was deemed to know.
“These calls were becoming scary until the Khama brothers were arrested and searched in their office at Seleka Springs, while I was with them.
“That day the DIS intelligence officers told me that I was long told to leave Khama but am not listening, therefore next time it will be me arrested.
“I became scared for my life, so I decided to leave unnoticed for security reasons of being arrested,” she said in a telephonic interview.
According to Baitseng, she discussed the matter with her family before she fled, expressing fear that she is now scared to come back to Botswana because “I might be arrested or worse can happen on my arrival”.
DIS Public Relations Director, Edward Robert had not responded to a questionnaire on the matter sent to him a fortnight ago, even with follow-ups made.
Khama revealed that he has been made aware of this development. He said given the sensitive nature of the matter, he would prefer that it is discussed with Baitseng.