Ryder Gabathuse
3 April 2008
Lt. General Khama is a former military commander just like his deputy, Lt. General Mompati Merafhe. Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Minister, Kitso Mokaila is a former army captain. Khama's cousin, Dikgakgamatso Ramadeluka, the new Minister of Justice, Defence and Security left as a brigadier. The ousted Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Moeng Pheto held the rank of major general.
Further, the militarisation of Cabinet cascades down to the senior management of the civil service where former army officers have been appointed to some crucial posts. The general manager of the Central Transport Organisation (CTO) is retired Lt. Col. Moakohi Modisenyane.
This week, Khama appointed Isaac Kgosi to head the Directorate on Intelligence and Security. Colonel Duke Masilo has been appointed Deputy Senior Private Secretary to the President and Kitso Mokaila's older brother, Tefo Mokaila was appointed private secretary at State House.
Mokaila has been appointed to State House wherehis father served as the private secretary to the late Sir Seretse Khama.
These appointments have started an interesting debate about whether it is right for Cabinet and the public service to be dominated by ex-military men with some of them seconded to government departments.
This raises questions about whether the military has suddenly become the only institution that produces leaders of quality.
University of Botswana (UB) social work lecturer, Log Raditlhokwa fears: "The militarisation of the Cabinet and public service is something that has left people worried a lot. It's an issue that Khama needs to pay attention to or at least allay the fears of the public," says Raditlhokwa.
He fears that if it remains unchecked, it has the potential to threaten the country's prevailing democracy.
The academic says there is already a fear amongst some people that the appointed men of the barracks "could be spies' of the former commanders and not really serving the people.
He was worried about what he termed the undying loyalty of former military men to their former commanders which, he feared, could affect democracy especially during debates on national issues at Cabinet level or even in Parliament.
"For now, it may appear as if it is business as usual until such time when there is a push as men of the barracks will always want to appease their commanders to the detriment of democratic principles".
"The other danger," he says, "is you raise an unnecessary expectation in the military service when they easily rise to top offices. In the literature we see the military as an interest group and they might ultimately lobby for some of the interests because many of them are in these democratic institutions even through unacceptable means".
He fears that serving military men could put pressure on the government demanding certain services and once they don't get what they want "it could then raise some instability".
The academic says it still looks 'okay' because a significant number of them are joining the ruling party. "What about if a good number of them also join the opposition party and ultimately we could see the ex-military men battling for state power and this is unhealthy".
He pleaded that the trend of militarisation must be discouraged for now given the socialisation of the military people generally. In his inaugural speech, Khama talked about discipline. Raditlhokwa believes that there is a military definition of discipline.
"In the military, democracy is curtailed and debate is not encouraged and his discipline could mean something like that". This, he says, has the likelihood of causing some confusion within the public. He is worried that without elaboration, some people could end up misinterpreting the statement relating to discipline.
"Men of the barracks generally think that their values should take precedence over those of the civil rule," says Raditlhokwa. He encourages President Khama and Merafhe to at least drop their military titles when they travel abroad on national assignments.
"I think it will make sense when these men drop the military titles especially that they will find themselves odd men out when thy attend international forums. It might send wrong signals to the world and possibly erode the requisite investor confidence," Raditlhokwa believes.
He observes that men with military titles have a tendency of writing good speeches but warned: "The investors are likely to wait and see what the Khama regime has in store before they can commit themselves.
Khama used to defy the expectations of the public and civic groups who expected him not to fly state choppers and planes but he simply ignored them".
Another UB academic and economics lecturer, Gaotlhobogwe Motlaleng finds that fear that Khama's military regime could erode investor confidence is "unfounded".
To him, the only problem would be if the men with military titles were not elected by the civilians. "Merafhe was the mirror and face of Botswana as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the past many years. His appointment was never questioned and it would not make sense to speak against that just because he has been appointed Vice President," he argues.
"Because he was not imposed on the people it would not harm Botswana's image on the international arena," reasons the economist. "This country is a republic and there are institutions dealing with the issue of investment and the policies are decided by the Parliament," he argues.
He believes that problems could arise if the former military men do not respect the institutions that determine democracy. UB political analyst, Dr. Zibani Maundeni does not believe there is a problem with ex-military men running the public service and government.
"These people have long left the military and mind you they were elected by Parliament and they do not pose a threat to any system". The only problem Maundeni sees is if they were to view things from a military point of view where orders are not challenged.
He considers Merafhe to have been an excellent diplomat. "That gives the real impression that ex-barracks men can easily adapt into excellent civilian leaders and any investor will trust that their presence in the government could mean they will instil discipline in the country's systems including the work force," says Maundeni.
He added that there would be less strikes and disruptions. He also believes that Khama could only rock the boat if he appointed another young army general when the 'ageing' Merafhe leaves. A young economist says he understands why people are apprehensive following the shake up in Cabinet and the civil service.
"I want to believe that people view the country as having a richer pool of talent from many other institutions than the army," he says. He argues that the people elected all the former military men into Parliament and as such that means they will not be self-serving but they will strive to serve the people who gave them a mandate.
To him, Khama, Merafhe, Seretse and Mokaila are some of the capable political leaders from a pool of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) elected MPs.
He was also happy that all the political leaders in Parliament and government were not handpicked but elected through a transparent process of elections.
Rating the military politicians, the young economist presented Mokaila as a master performer. Merafhe was a decent minister at external affairs and delivered on his mandate.
He views Khama as a pragmatist who never wears his military badges of rank when he moves around. "You will never see his badges when he executes his duties. It will be suicidal if he could alter his behaviour and become a military dictator as that could mess his government up," warns the young economist.
He adds that the military is generally a centre of innovation in the first world and it is not surprising that capable political leaders continue to come from the army even in Botswana.
"Let's face it, they are above average in terms of understanding the dynamics and they are suitable for today's challenges," he says.
In his view, the Cabinet reshuffle went well and it satisfies him. "I am not scared at all," he declares.
He says Khama's government has promised discipline and it promises to be results oriented. It will treat the private sector as a partner in development.
"If Khama's speech was not just words but followed by action, then it promises what has been missing all along," the economist says.
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