Retired former Botswana Defense Force (BDF) Generals have accused the Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi, of disclosing classified military information. Mmusi recently issued a press release in response to recent attacks by the former President, Lt. Ian Khama, on initiatives to improve conditions of service in the BDF. In a letter signed by General Gaolathe Galebotswe, Maj. Gen (rtd) Moeng Pheto, and Maj. Gen (rtd) Pius Mokgware, the Generals express their concerns about the Minister’s handling of sensitive information. They feel compelled to shed light on the matter, even though its nature is classified.
“While we respect the classification, it is unfortunate that the Honourable Minister appears to lack awareness of the historical presentations made to authorities regarding BDF readiness. We urge the Minister to familiarize himself with past BDF presentations to the Ministry, Defence Council, Parliamentary Accounts Committee, Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Defence and Security, and the National Development Plan XI budget and review process, which President Masisi supervised as the Vice President. Additionally, the Minister should review past presentations made by former Generals to the Ministerial Thematic Working Group on Security, which His Excellency also participated in as Presidential Affairs Minister, along with former Ministers Hon Kgathi, Molefhi, and Siele.”
The Generals argue that the current challenges facing the BDF are not the result of the retired Generals but rather stem from the government’s failure to define clear National Security and Defence Policies. They highlight that in some parliamentary debates, efforts to enhance BDF readiness were thwarted, with Defence readiness consistently placed at the bottom of national spending priorities, resulting in the current state.
“Furthermore, inadequate budget allocation for recurrent expenditure has prevented the government from sustaining national projects and facilities, including those of the BDF. The Minister’s assertion of ignorance regarding these facts is concerning,” they assert, adding, “The historical trend of the BDF’s Recurrent Budget allocation shows that a significant portion, approximately sixty-two percent annually, goes towards personal emoluments, leaving only thirty-eight percent for equipment and infrastructure maintenance, including air and ground-based assets. This budget allocation has clearly contributed to the challenges faced by the BDF.”
The letter emphasizes that the blueprint for maintaining a minimum level of readiness has always been documented and presented to civilian authorities. “However, the government consistently failed to implement force modernization recommendations, focusing on manning, equipping, and sustaining the BDF. The Ministry of Defence and Security and the Office of the President hold the responsibility for BDF submissions on readiness. As retired Generals, we have noted with concern the Honourable Minister’s reference to ‘some retired Generals’ in a negative and potentially defamatory manner. Our professional integrity obligates us to address this matter.”
The Generals express their concern about the open discussion of classified matters related to national security in the public domain, stating that it raises serious concerns and may have far-reaching consequences. “While we do not confirm or deny the Minister’s disclosures, we wish to emphasize that our understanding differs from his.” In his press release, Minister Mmusi accused Khama and “some former Commanders turned politicians” of leaving the BDF in a deplorable state. He alleged that throughout Khama’s term as BDF Commander and President, soldiers were left languishing in tents without permanent accommodation despite the BDF receiving the highest budget in the region per capita.
Mmusi also accused Khama and some generals of procuring equipment that had been declared Beyond Economic Repair (BER) by other militaries or spending billions on equipment that had no relevance to the security requirements of Botswana.
