The President of Botswana Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi has fired two senior officials in the Ministry of Health for mishandling the coronavirus (Covid-19) preparedness and response.

President Masisi has fired with immediate effect the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Solomon M Sekwakwa as well as the Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Morrison Sinvula.

Below is the press release released on Wednesday morning from the Office of the President for the Republic of Botswana,

REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA

PRESS RELEASE

22nd April 2020

His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi has relieved the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Mr Solomon M Sekwakwa, and the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry, Dr Morrison Sinvula of their duties, with immediate effect.

The dismissals of the two Senior Government officials were effected 21st April, 2020.

Andrew 0. Sesinyi

PERMANENT SECRETARY GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS 

Botswana becomes the second African country to fire senior government officials for poor handling of the country’s coronavirus preparedness and response. Just a few weeks, Rwandan President, Paul Kagame fired his Health Minister for the same reason.

 

President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi was recently placed in coronavirus self-isolation for 14 days after travelling to Namibia for President Hage Geingob’s inauguration in March.  Also present at the same event were Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Angolan President Joao Lourenco who both defied their own bans on international travel. Zambia and South Africa, on the other hand, sent foreign ministers to attend the Namibia inauguration.

Two weeks back, all Botswana’s parliamentarians including President Mokgweetsi Masisi, again, were quarantined for 14 days and tested for the new coronavirus, after a health worker screening lawmakers for the virus, tested positive.