19 Nov 2018

 I have noted the article which appears in the latest edition of the WeekendPost newspaper of 17/11/18, under the headline: Khama, Morupisi meet ‘neck to neck, and would like to set the record straight.

I would like to state that, it is true that in the course of my duties I recently had a brief meeting with H.E. the Former President Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

The duration was dictated by the Former President’s schedule.

As Permanent Secretary to the President, it is my duty as the head of the public service to ensure that administrative matters that affect His Excellency the President and former president are addressed at the highest level.

In this context, my meeting with Former President Khama was intended to reach an understanding with him on certain outstanding internal issues relating to staffing, overtime payments, establishing separate mail facilities for his office correspondence.

Furthermore we discussed the way forward regarding the appropriate status of the Presidential Housing Appeal.

The above issues are of an administrative nature that under normal circumstances should be resolved amicably without being in the public domain.

Finally, I wish to once more put on record my concern that the Weekend Post did not attempt to engage me prior to the publication of this article.

This is despite the fact that my office has adopted an open door policy to the media.

In this regard, had the author of the article in question contacted me I would have confirmed my participation in the said meeting.

While I fully respect the right of the private press to report freely, nonetheless I believe that journalists have a responsibility to report objectively, factually and in a balanced manner. ENDS