Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has administered oath on the two members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) paving way for them to assume new responsibilities. The newly appointed BDF Deputy Commander, Major General Joseph Seelo and Simon Barwabatsile, who was promoted to the rank of Major General took oath of office during a special ceremony at the Office of the President in Gaborone yesterday. Maj. Gen. Barwabatsile was pinned with new rank badges in recognition of his appointment as Commander, Ground Forces Command and Commander, Armed Forces Command. Maj. Gen. Seelo takes over from the former Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Mpho Mophuting who was re-deployed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Ambassador at Large. Elaborating on the occasion, BDF Commander, Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo said Maj. Gen. Seelo was assuming added responsibilities as the new Deputy Commander. �He is being elevated in terms of responsibility not rank,� said Lt Gen. Segokgo. He said taking oath of office was in line with section 48 (2)(b) of the Constitution of Botswana as well as section 27(1) of the BDF Act. He said before assuming their duties, the two officers must take an oath that they will execute their duties in line with the statutes of the country. Director of Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Magosi Moshagane said by law, President Masisi as the Commander in Chief of Armed Forces had the power to promote BDF officers of senior ranks and assign them certain responsibilities. Col. Moshagane said Maj. Gen. Seelo was previously assigned Commander, Grounds Forces Command and was, therefore, elevated to assume responsibilities of Deputy Commander. Col. Moshagane said when one got promoted to the rank of Major General, they must sign an oath of allegiance to assure that they would abide by and defend all activities to do with the security and defence in line with the law. Their appointments effected September 30.