What started as an attempt midweek by Permanent Secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi to sack Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo is fast morphing into a war of wills that is stress testing loyalties inside Government.
Kaboyamodimo is Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for Government media.
Sunday Standard has leant that while President Ian Khama had initially agreed to suggestions that Kaboyamodimo be chopped, after a strong lobby by some of his lieutenants, the President has gone back on his decision.
He has now instructed Minister for Presidential Affairs, Eric Molale to reign in Morupisi and also to provide a clear report on why Kaboyamodimo was subjected to such humiliating treatment to start with.
At the moment there are some close to the president who are lobbying Khama to have Kaboyamodimo redeployed to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture rather than get him sacked.
Early in the week there were reports that Kaboyamodimo had been sacked.
But by the weekend, reports from the Office of the President were suggesting that he might get a reprieve.
It would seem like pressure is now turning on Morupisi.