Botswana is likely to have the first female Commissioner of Prisons after six decades.
Minister of Defense, Justice and Security Kagiso Mmusi says he will announce the new commissioner next month.
The position fell vacant after former Commissioner Silas Motlalekgosi was sacked from his post about a month ago.
Credible information reaching this publication suggests Mmusi is likely to make history in the event that he announces the first woman to lead Prisons 63 years after its inception in 1958.
It is understood that Keneilwe Bogosing who serves as acting Commissioner stands a better chance to be appointed.
“I am expected to make a pronouncement of a new Commissioner sometime early next month,” said Mmusi.
He said preparations for the announcement are at an advanced stage. Mmusi said once the team he assigned to look into the matter has completed its assignment, he will make a recommendation. It will then be submitted to the president to endorse or decline the candidate suggested.
“I can assure you that this time around we will appoint someone who is within the department not an outsider,” he revealed.
last month, former Commissioner of Prisons was sacked from his position with immediate effect. A leaked document dated 11th June, 2020 signed by Deputy Director General of the DIS Tefo Kgotlhane on behalf of the Director General titled: “Cancellation of Tender for the Supplies Procurement of a Warehouse in Mogoditshane Lot 1095 for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security” informed Motlalekgosi that “tender No. PAGPA.MTC/DISO20/2019-2020 Supplies Procurement of a warehouse in Mogoditshane Lot 1095 for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security has been cancelled.”
“This cancellation is as a result of financial challenges that the Government is facing due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kgotlhane informed Motlalekgosi. The State was about to purchase his property for P3,700,000.00 (Three million seven hundred thousand Pula) but reneged at the eleventh hour.
