On Parks Tafa’s revelations regarding Ian Khama pushing for Tshekedi to be Vice President

IT WAS MASISI’S PLEADGE TO MAKE TSHEKEDI VP

I note the content attributed to Parks Baedzi Tafa at the just ended BDP Congress held in Tsabong.

For the record, and benefit of context, it is indeed true that many a people, in and outside government, and within the BDP lobbied for the nomination of Honourable Tshekedi Khama as Vice President. There was nothing wrong with that, as it was a right held by those who believed so, Parks Tafa included.

I have always been adamant in my belief that I could not appoint my brother to succeed me. I was also categorical that if indeed my successor or any other President wanted to appoint Tshekedi, it would be on their own volition. Let us remember the straw poll I conducted in Caucus immediately after the 2014 General elections to determine the Vice President. Of the top 4 or 5 contenders Mokgweetsi Masisi came in last. In the interest of nation building, I however, opted for Mokgweetsi Masisi. My successor was a beneficiary of primarily my desire to build an inclusive and united nation.

Before the public pronouncement, I shared my thoughts with Parks Tafa, someone I consider a close confidante. His objection was instant, before relenting the next day. After re-considering his position Parks conferred my thoughts to Masisi, and this outside my knowledge. According to Parks, Masisi’s reaction was great excitement, jubilation and appreciation that brought him (Masisi) to tears. I am further told by Parks that as if to thank me, Masisi pledged to Parks that he would make TK his own Vice President.

I have never told neither Parks Tafa nor Mokgweetsi Masisi to make Tshekedi Vice President. That was entirely Masisi’s pledge, something he reiterated in the Office of the President, and in the presence of

Parks Tafa. That he did not carry out what he would do was his prerogative. If there was anyone who should have been upset it would have been TK but he wasn’t, accepting to serve as a Minister nonetheless.

Notwithstanding the current circumstances, I deliberately and consciously against opposition from within Cabinet, BDP Caucus and beyond, endorsed VP Masisi to occupy the position of 5th President of the Republic of Botswana. In closing, I wish to highlight that, if I live the rest of my life as a victim of nation building, then so shall it be. [IAN KHAMA]

MOKGWEESI MASISI IS DECEPTIVE

This (Ian Khama’s response) is as close to the narrative I know as possible. The key players sealed a deal in 2014. Then in December 2016, they move to make TK Chairman, which was seen as providing a platform in preparation for 2018. The idea was by the time Masisi is inaugurated, TK would have garnered necessary gravitas to ward off any possible challenge. About that time, Masisi had changed his plans. 8 years after pledging to make TK VP, and 6 after u-turning, and 4 after becoming President, Masisi still wants to convince us that it was Ian’s idea and his rejection of such a cause of this war. Mokgweetsi Masisi is deceptive. [THABO MSALILA]

KHAMA HAS VOWED TO DO EVERYTHING TO OUST MASISI

1. There is a saying that Khama could shoot a person and the best thing Motswana will ask you is: O ne o le bokgakala bo kae o sa tseye tlhobolo.

2. Batswana are adamant that Masisi o iphetlhela Khama despite every close allies to Khama testifying. Ba ganetsa Masire, Masisi, Mogae, Mabaila, Tafa and long list of people, gatwe botlhe ba akela ngwana

3. DID U KNOW THAT Khama confessed several times that he will not rest until Masisi is removed, but still UDC/BPF combo blame Masisi. Youtube is full of Khama clips accusing Masisi of many things, but Masisi has never personally accused Khama of anything.

4. Khama said he doesn’t care about the peace as long as he removes Masisi, but still his followers are still adamant that Masisi is the one who doesn’t want peace. Motswana ga a rata motho waa mo rata beyond rationalization. [THABO JOHNSON]

SKI WOULD NOT WANT TO BE RECORDED SPEAKING FOR HIS BROTHER

Make no mistake about it, SKI is a very smart man, and it does not matter what you do or say about him, SKI will never back down from a fight. The latest utterances by his very very close friend Parks Tafa should count as colossal betrayal for SKI and he will come out guns blazing. Parks only confirmed what MEK revealed recently that SKI wanted his brother to be made Vice President. It will not take long before he comes out with a response just as he did with several instalments of responses after MEK talked about this. And Parks cannot tell lies even if he could be promised P100billion to do so. More importantly, Parks cannot lie about SKI.

They have been too close for that to happen and Parks has not really been a fan of MEK. It would be interesting. Bottom line is: SKI wanted his brother to eventually become President. We have always said there is more to SKI’s hatred on MEK than just the issue of MEK denying SKI some government luxuries the former wanted after his retirement. We knew about SKI feeling betrayed by MEK when Kgosi was removed as DIS Director General. The other would have been MEK reneging from making TK Vice President.

As he did when he sent Tafa to Masisi, he must used others to push for TK to become Vice President so that the blood would not be on his hands. As I say, SKI is very smart.

He must have been very careful not to be seen to the one pushing for his own brother, so he must have spoken to some cabinet ministers and MPs or Central Committee members to do it on his behalf just as he sent Parks to do the dirty work of talking to MEK. He wanted to come out clean. It would thus be difficult to prove that wanting TK for Vice President was his idea. TK is his brother and it would come out bad in the eyes of the public. There is no way he would want to be recorded saying he wants TK for Vice President. Recently MEK said when that request from Parks came, he pretended to be okay but he knew he would never make TK Vice President because he did not deserve it. MEK said he was bidding the time so that he takes over without upsetting the then President who had the powers to demote him. Now MEK has indeed not appointed TK, and we know how things have turned out between SKI and MEK. [TUMISANG MOLEFHE]

WOULD EVERYONE LIE ABOUT IAN KHAMA?

This issue is now getting more complex than becoming clear. Tota mme would everybody lie about the former ne bathong? Autlwetse, Parks, Mabaila, Unity, Mogae and others who had been known to be close to him have at different points come out to say some damning things about him. Go a tshwenya. At least this time he does not flatly deny maybe because it is Parks who spoke. Last time when Masisi said it he was denying ever sending anyone to Masisi about Tshekedi. Now after Parks spoke, he accepts he did, but says it was not his idea. Interesting times. [TSHEPANG MOOKETSANE]