20 Mar 2018

In a front page story appearing in its latest (21-27/3/18) edition, entitled “Khama Rejects Masire’s Offices” the Botswana Gazette newspaper publishes a series of false claims arising from its unfounded assumption that outgoing President Khama’s “new offices [are] separated from retirement home unlike other ex-presidents.” This is simply not the case.

As was affirmed to the Gazette reporter, Tefo Pheage, when he contacted this Office on Sunday, the late former President Masire did in fact have an office complex, which was located on a plot separate from what was his official residence.

As we also informed Mr. Pheage, the very same offices had recently been assigned on a temporary basis to Former President Mogae, along with a Government guest house, while needed refurbishments are being carried out at his official residence in Phakalane.

It may be further noted that while it is true that former President Mogae’s Phakalane offices are located on the same plot as his official residence, they too are nonetheless physically separated from the house.

As it is, Mr. Pheage’s claim that the “homes of both Festus Mogae and Masire have always doubled as their offices...” is at best ignorant.

His further assertion that “Khama’s move clearly breaks the norm” is thus also completely false.

Had Mr. Pheage been committed to verifying the truth we could have easily shown him Masire’s former offices and/or connected him with individuals such as the late former president’s most recent Senior Private Secretary to better inform himself about the office support that is in fact availed to all former presidents. But, it would appear that Mr. Pheage had a different agenda.

If the management of the Gazette, or any other members of the media, have any doubts about the truth of this matter our door is still open. The facts are easy enough to confirm.

In the above context we trust that that the Gazette will come forward to familiarise itself with the truth of the matter and retract its false and frankly petty article.

Finally, we would once more remind members of the media that the offices and official residences of Former President’s remain state property.  BGCIS