Former High Court Judge David Newman is now an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, The Telegraph can reveal. Newman, who is said to be President Ian Khama’s associate, was appointed Resident Ambassador with effect from May 1 and he has started reporting for duty in Gaborone.
Indications are that Newman is headed for Washington, where he will replace Tebelelo Seretse as Botswana’s Ambassador to the United States of America (USA).
Newman’s appointment as Resident ambassador is not something new as former cabinet minister Lesego Motsumi served in the same capacity before she was posted to India as Ambassador. Reached for comment on Monday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and her Deputy Permanent Secretary, John Thomas Dipowe were at pains to confirm Newman’s appointment. Venson-Moitoi first wanted to know where this publication had sourced the information from, but confirmed the appointment on further persuasion.
“I can confirm that David Newman started working for my Ministry with effect from May 1 but I will have to confirm with my Permanent Secretary on his exact designation,” she said.
She was also unable to explain under what capacity Newman attended a summit that was hosted for all Botswana Ambassadors in Gaborone recently. The Telegraph is informed that staff at the Ministry headquarters in Gaborone have since received communication in the form of a memo informing them of Newman’s appointment as Resident Ambassador. Newman is the founder of Collins Newman law firm.
This paper first reported late last year that Newman was among the contenders to be appointed Botswana Ambassador to United States.
Government dismissed the report.
