The President and Commander-in-Chief, Ian Khama, has appointed Brigadier Gotsileene Morake to the post of Commander, Ground Forces Command and promoted him to the rank of Major General.
Further, Major General Gaolathe Galebotswe has been appointed the Deputy Commander of BDF, while Brigadier George Tlhalerwa has been appointed Commander, Defence Logistics Command.
The Director, Protocol and Public Relations, Colonel Paul Sharp, told The Sunday Standard that the promotions and appointments are effective from 21st May 2012.
Sharp said that the decision to replace Commander Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire lies with the Commander-in Chief, Ian Khama.
“He is the only person who will inform Masire to step down as well as the new replacement to lead the army,” said Sharp.
It is believed that Khama has been looking for the right replacement for Deputy Commander Otsisitswe Tiroyamodimo, whose service was recently terminated, as most high ranking officers are said to be still new in their posts. As it is now, the Deputy Commander BDF, Galebotswe is the immediate assistant to Masire and stands a bigger chance in fitting into the BDF’s top post after the departure of Masire.
Masire is the only BDF commander who had his contract extended in the history of BDF. He could have retired three years ago but had his contract extended by the President.
When he retired to join politics in 1998, Khama handed over to Fisher. Masire’s contract was extended just after his former deputy, Major General Pius Mokgware, was retired last year under curious circumstances.
Masire took over from Lieutenant General Matshwenyego Fisher in 2006. He would have retired in 2010, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 55, at which senior army officers are required to retire.
Masire became one of the BDF’s initial officer cadets in the late 70’s, soon after the army was formed. Under his command, in March 2007, the BDF began recruiting females into military service.