- PSP might leave at end of contract - Gov’t struggling to find a suitable replacement - Peloetletse is a key figure to get Botswana a fair deal with De Beers - Some minister’s undermining her role
The Permanent Secretary to the President, Emma Peloetletse, is poised to leave her post before the completion of her contract, which expires this year in March, Botswana Guardian has learnt.
Botswana Guardian has established that this is mainly due to her differences with some members of President Duma Boko’s cabinet, as well as the Chief of Staff, Oupa Tsheko.
This publication has been reliably informed that the PSP has indicated her intention for an early exit to President Boko. Peloetletse is reported to have handed her letter to Boko last month.
Boko is yet to accede to his secretary’s request. Sources indicate that President Boko is still struggling to find a perfect fit to replace Peloetletse. She has been serving as PSP since September 2021. Peloetletse also served as Deputy PSP to Elias Magosi between 2018 and 2020.
While the details of her letter remain sketchy, sources have told the Botswana Guardian that Peloetletse feels that her role is being undermined, particularly by some new ministers and the Chief of Staff.
“The Chief of Staff's duty seems to be overlapping into the PSP’s mandate. From the way things are, he is a de-facto PSP, which Emma has not taken very kindly to.
“Instead of the two working hand in hand, they are now working parallel, and that distracts government business,” a highly-placed source at the Office of the President said.
It is said that there have been numerous instances where Tsheko briefs President Boko on official matters without the knowledge of the PSP.
It is alleged that the decision to lift the ban on the importation of vegetables was done without the blessing of senior civil servants and government experts. Tsheko is said to have been the one pushing the agenda.
“She has also gotten on the wrong side of some ministers who she has told on several occasions that they do not brief the President without preparing briefs, which go through her as Secretary to the Cabinet,” it is also reported.
Some ministers also bypass Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe in most of their matters, which has also raised concerns.
“It was the PSP's initiative that Cabinet must hold an orientation for ministers so that they get to understand government operations.
“For example, Minister Motshegwa appointed Special Nominated Councillors without having the matter discussed in Cabinet.
“Another example was Minister Chimbombi ending the Temo-Letlotlo initiative without the consent of Cabinet. Such a decision requires a Cabinet memo, and it is not a decision made by the Minister alone,” the informant added.
Due to these strained relations between the PSP and members of the new government, it is said that some ministers had advised President Boko to get rid of her. There have been a couple of names that are said to have been suggested to Boko as potential replacements.
Chief People Officer at De Beers Group based in London, Malebogo Mpugwa, has been mentioned in the mix. Peloetletse’s current deputy, Matshidiso Bokole, is said to have had warm praises from the new ministers.
There is also a possibility of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Head of Policy and Strategy Dr Patrick Molutsi taking over from Tsheko as Chief of Staff, with Tsheko deployed to the PSP role.
Peloetletse could not be drawn into discussing the matter.
Botswana Guardian has established that this is mainly due to her differences with some members of President Duma Boko’s cabinet, as well as the Chief of Staff, Oupa Tsheko.
This publication has been reliably informed that the PSP has indicated her intention for an early exit to President Boko. Peloetletse is reported to have handed her letter to Boko last month.
Boko is yet to accede to his secretary’s request. Sources indicate that President Boko is still struggling to find a perfect fit to replace Peloetletse. She has been serving as PSP since September 2021. Peloetletse also served as Deputy PSP to Elias Magosi between 2018 and 2020.
While the details of her letter remain sketchy, sources have told the Botswana Guardian that Peloetletse feels that her role is being undermined, particularly by some new ministers and the Chief of Staff.
“The Chief of Staff's duty seems to be overlapping into the PSP’s mandate. From the way things are, he is a de-facto PSP, which Emma has not taken very kindly to.
“Instead of the two working hand in hand, they are now working parallel, and that distracts government business,” a highly-placed source at the Office of the President said.
It is said that there have been numerous instances where Tsheko briefs President Boko on official matters without the knowledge of the PSP.
It is alleged that the decision to lift the ban on the importation of vegetables was done without the blessing of senior civil servants and government experts. Tsheko is said to have been the one pushing the agenda.
“She has also gotten on the wrong side of some ministers who she has told on several occasions that they do not brief the President without preparing briefs, which go through her as Secretary to the Cabinet,” it is also reported.
Some ministers also bypass Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe in most of their matters, which has also raised concerns.
“It was the PSP's initiative that Cabinet must hold an orientation for ministers so that they get to understand government operations.
“For example, Minister Motshegwa appointed Special Nominated Councillors without having the matter discussed in Cabinet.
“Another example was Minister Chimbombi ending the Temo-Letlotlo initiative without the consent of Cabinet. Such a decision requires a Cabinet memo, and it is not a decision made by the Minister alone,” the informant added.
Due to these strained relations between the PSP and members of the new government, it is said that some ministers had advised President Boko to get rid of her. There have been a couple of names that are said to have been suggested to Boko as potential replacements.
Chief People Officer at De Beers Group based in London, Malebogo Mpugwa, has been mentioned in the mix. Peloetletse’s current deputy, Matshidiso Bokole, is said to have had warm praises from the new ministers.
There is also a possibility of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Head of Policy and Strategy Dr Patrick Molutsi taking over from Tsheko as Chief of Staff, with Tsheko deployed to the PSP role.
Peloetletse could not be drawn into discussing the matter.
