Former Botswana Vice President Merafhe dies

The government of Botswana has this morning issued a statement announcing the death of the country's former Vice President Lieutenant General Mompati Sebogodi Mompati.

The statement issued by Carter N. Morupisi PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY TO CABINET of the republic of Botswana reads as follows:

"It is with a deep sense of loss that we have been informed that one of our nation's outstanding statesmen, His Honour the Former Vice President, Lieutenant General Mompati Sebogodi Mompati, passed away this morning.

From his initial appointment as Police constable in 1960 until his retirement as Vice President in 2012 General Merafhe remained a model public servant whose various contributions to Botswana's progress will be remembered for generations to come.

For now our condolences and prayers go out to Mrs. Merafhe and other members of the Merafhe family in their time of loss. May his soul rest in peace."