30/10/2019
Former President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama has this week revealed to WeekendPost that he has cut ties with his longtime colleague Daphne Kadiwa who served as Chief of Protocol under his administration.
A few weeks back a leaked audio from a telephone between Daphne Kadiwa and another Khama longtime friend, Bridgette Motsepe- Radebe from South Africa went viral on social media. The audio recording of a private conversation which motivated Bridgette Motsepe’s Visa Restrictions under Botswana laws was leaked to some local media houses and Motsepe was accused of trying to influence regime change in Botswana. Motsepe was also alleged to have been sponsoring Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi during her Presidential bid against President Mokgweetsi Masisi at a Special Congress held in Kang on 5th April 2019.
When responding to the media after the audio was leaked Khama said he never had time to listen to the conversation. He said that it was a private conversation between two people and it was never intended for a third party. The former President said the person who should be blamed is the one who leaked the conversation and shared it with the media. This week former President Khama told WeekendPost that ever since the leak he has not seen Kadiwa and they have not talked thereafter.
After she left the public service at the end of Khama’s term, Daphne Kadiwa maintained her close relations with her former boss. They went on holidays together and mostly enjoyed timeout at Khama’s retirement home in Mosu as well as Khama’s signature events such as Khawa Sand Dune Challenge and Race for Rhinos and others.
In the leaked audio Daphne Kadiwa could be heard telling Motsepe that everyone has deserted Khama because he never listened to anyone and is always reluctant to make critical decisions. Kadiwa also blamed Khama for protecting former Spy Chief Isaac Kgosi whom she said he lived beyond his means but the former president never bothered to rebuke him. She said Kgosi was a mere civil servant but has millions of p**a in his foreign accounts.
Daphne Kadiwa was also heard saying Khama knows why the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is splitting into two. “I am with this man, he knows why there were stories about BoKgosi killing a little boy called Kalafatis, he ignores the media when they write about these things and says he does not care about the media. I have been the only one who could walk into his office and tell him Ian am I the only one who can tell you this …”, said Kadiwa.
Daphne Kadiwa was also heard saying this is the reason why people like Kitso Mokaila have deserted Ian because he does not listen. “People have long warned that Kgosi should leave the country because everyone is going to come behind him and the opposition has been threatening. The people around Ian right now is me, Tony and Margaret. You know him wa mo itse le wena Bridgette o dingalo” she said.
While responding to Daphne Kadiwa’s comments about everyone deserting him including his younger brother Tshekedi Khama, the former President said in fact it is the other way round. “You know this is another example of the character of some people who spread inaccuracies”, he said.
Khama said even though he knew from way back that Daphne Kadiwa is capable of badmouthing him he did not care because she does her job very well. He said there was a point where Daphne Kadiwa was recorded confirming that she indeed leaked a recording to local newspaper. “She was recorded saying I gave them the recording”.
Even though they never spoke, former President Khama said trust between him and Daphne Kadiwa has broken down tremendously. He said the best way to deal with gossip mongers is best not to associate with them anymore. “In fact I want to meet her father sometime soon to discuss this issue”, he said.
