By Mpho Keleboge

Minister of Justice and Security Shaw Kgathi castigated former President Ian Khama for bad leadership at a political rally in Mogoditshane over the weekend revealing that the former president used a cabinet retreat to influence members of cabinet to revolt against his deputy.

Kgathi said Khama used one cabinet retreat to portray then Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi as a weak leader and by extension wanted cabinet ministers to doubt Masisi’s leadership qualities which would effect his ouster.

Kgathi lost his cool and described Khama as a poor leader who lacks principle and discipline.

Speaking at the launch of Chiliboy Rakgare, who is a Mogoditshane parliamentary candidate, Kgathi said Masisi was bullied by Khama and that the former president used some cabinet ministers to criticize Masisi’s leadership.

Kgathi said while Masisi was Vice President, there was a certain Minister who claims to be closer to Khama and that minister was advised to belittle Masisi.

He said that the modus operadi which was used by Khama was exposed at a cabinet retreat. “I stood up and advised them to follow tradition of using BDP congress to vote against him [Masisi] and not finger pointing.”

“Masisi was very strong and tactical in responding to the ambush which was orchestrated by Khama to test his leadership strength. When he ascend to Presidency; Masisi was smart and never retaliated by dropping some ministers who were against him during the retreat from their ministerial portfolio,’’ said Khathi

Kgathi warned residents of Mogoditshane never to associate with Khama because he is not a trusted leader. He said during their good days Khama gave him all the accolades but to his surprise Khama made a u-turn and started criticizing and decampaigning him.

A clearly peeved Kgathi said: “kana motho yo ke mokgokgontshi, o ne a kgokgontsha Masisi fa a le Vice President” (This person is a tyrant. He persecuted Masisi).

To drive his point home, Kgathi said Khama is not trustworthy because he once said”ke motho yo ke siameng, and that Masisi ’e’’ botlhale but since he is not a trusted person, the man  keeps changing and is now mad at every Botswana Democratic Party member. But Kgathi was once again economical with the truth because he did not explain why Khama was not supporting him.

Early this year, Kgathi dismissed as unfounded, allegations that his refusal to authorize the procurement of Gripens military jet fighters was the real cause of his broken relations with Khama.

Kgathi told the BDP Mogoditshane launch that Khama is not trustworthy because he changes like chameleon. He said Khama can betray you just because you are not in agreement with him.

He urged residents not to associate nor vote opposition because Khama will make sure they suffer like he did by way of restricted regulations even for small business. Kgathi further urged them vote against opposition more especially Chilli Kgoroba because he has failed to represent them in parliament.

For his part Masisi urged residents of Mogoditshane to vote for Chiliboy Rakgare to represent them in parliament. He said the ruling party is in the process of tackling issues of land in Mogoditshane. Masisi said if his party is voted into power they will relax some regulations to allow for easy way of doing business.