BOTSWANA DEFENCE FORCE PRESS STATEMENT: BDF COMPELLED TO REBUT ARTICLES REGARDING MISSING EQUIPMENT
The Botswana Defence Force wishes to express shock and dismay at the recent spate of false and misleading reports by some media houses. Innuendo and deliberate distortion of facts continue to take prominence in what is termed "missing spy equipment".
A case in point amongst others is an article which appeared in the Mmegi newspaper dated 23 May 2014 dubbed:
"Behind the missing spy equipment. As the Botswana Defence Force's case against senior officers over missing intelligence equipment gathers momentum and captures the public's imagination, Mmegi investigations uncover historical tension between the key actors in the saga"
The BDF does not ordinarily make pronouncements on matters that are sub judice, albeit the continued deliberate distortion of facts which are no doubt intended to mislead the public and tarnish the image of BDF General Officers has compelled the BDF to categorically rebut the serious allegations.
The BDF finds it regrettable that the newspaper elected to carry a story with such distorted facts, averring that Mmegi sources inside the BDF have revealed a "maze of egos, personal vendettas, and settling of scores behind the equipment saga".
The article goes on to state that trouble and conflict have always been the defining factor between Lieutenant General Gaolathe Galebotswe and Brigadier Peter Magosi with issues of dominance and submissiveness taking prominence.
The supposed Mmegi source's, according to the article further asserts that retired Major General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo was at one point called to reconcile the two Officers to no avail. The article further continues to state that as the two powerful military men tussle, a third actor within Government Enclave has taken sides in the battle resulting in Lieutenant Gaolathe Galebotswe being banned from touring BDF camps in the country, a sign that some feathers have been ruffled by the court case.
The comments attributed to the faceless "Mmegi sources" are not only false and misleading, but preposterous to say the least. The BDF wishes to categorically state that given its concern about the intent behind the dubious reports with fabricated information it is obliged to state the following;
It is a fact that there is some missing equipment within the BDF inventory, and that two BDF members by virtue of their appointment at the time have been identified as persons likely to be affected by findings of the enquiry.
The two members have since challenged the process of the Board of Enquiry constituted to investigate the whereabouts of the equipment. In view of the fact that the matter is sub judice, the BDF respects the process and hence saw no need to dialogue with the media on this matter. Albeit the publication of false information continues unabated.
The article is highly inaccurate and contains nonfactual information which is extremely misleading to Batswana and the public at large. It is imperative for reporters to always demonstrate acceptable codes of conduct and to be factual, balanced and fair in their reporting as they exercise their critical duty of informing the nation.
To deliberately distort facts with a view to mislead the public, as outlined below is criminal to say the least;
Maze of egos, personal vendettas, revenge and settling of scores behind the equipment saga.
It will no doubt translate into dereliction of duty in the BDF or any department for that matter for the accounting officer to fail to account for equipment under their care. Therefore for the newspaper to insinuate that enquiring into the whereabouts of certain equipment within BDF translates into a personal vendetta is extremely bizarre.
Animosity between them took center stage and Major General Tiroyamodimo who was a Colonel at that time, was called in to intervene with efforts focused on reconciling the two Officers.
At no point during Major General Tiroyamodimo's career was he ever involved in a reconciliatory engagement between Lieutenant General Galebotswe and Brigadier Magosi. Insinuation of animosity between a superior and subordinate in a professional military set up such as the BDF is unimaginable and does not prevail.
A third actor within Government Enclave has taken sides in the battle, resulting in Lieutenant General Galebotswe being banned from touring BDF camps in the country, a sign that he has ruffled some feathers with the court case.
To allege that there are some actors who are at liberty to interfere with matters that are before courts is unfounded. Furthermore, the Commander BDF is not under any direction not to visit BDF camps or any place within the Republic.
The BDF wishes to unconditionally state that Duty, Integrity, Esprit de Corps and Discipline continue to be the bedrock of the values which guide the conduct of its members to include the Commander.
As the BDF we remain a professional defence force that is committed to serving the nation in a diligent manner to include accounting for any resource at our disposal. We further assure the public that our mission is to defend Botswana's territorial integrity, sovereignty and national interest.
Thank you.
T K Dikole, Colonel, DIRECTOR, PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
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