2012-07-11
Xinhua
Botswana's vice president Mompati Merafhe announced on Tuesday his intention to retire at the end of this month due to his ill health.

Permanent Secretary to the President Eric Molale said in a statement that Merafhe informed the president Ian Khama on Tuesday his intention to retire on 31 July, and Khama has accepted Merafhe's request to retire.

According to Molale, the 76-year-old vice president had previously indicated his intention to retire in the year of 2014, but due to ill-health he has chosen to retire earlier.

"This retirement comes after His Honour has served this country in various capacities for an aggregate period of more than fifty years," said Molale.

Merafhe was hit by an illness which has not been revealed to public up to date early in 2011. He was transported to a hospital in South Africa on Jan. 29 after being admitted to a local hospital in Gaborone for tests on Jan. 25.

Merafhe was given a long leave after he was later released from the hospital.

Merafhe, the sixth vice president of Botswana, was appointed to the position in April, 2008.