DIS targets PAC members over NPF saga
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Things have now turned ugly in the most publicized multimillion pula corruption scandal implicating names of high profile people including politicians and technocrats.
Former minister of Energy Sadique Kebonang was at the helm when Bakang Seretse, Botho Leburu and Kenneth Kerekang were slapped with money laundering charges in relation to the illegal drawing of money from the National Petroleum Fund (NPF).
Fresh information reaching this publication is to the effect that members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who have been tasked to review the said National Petroleum fund (NPF) and report back to parliament are living in fear after being warned that there was a plan within the DIS to either harm or kill them.
The PAC is currently seized with what is possibly considered as the worst financial scandal ever to hit the country. The financial scandal which is a matter of court determination and has been a subject of public scrutiny in various media and social platforms has also currently come under the scrutiny of the PAC.
The PAC is chaired by Kanye South legislator Abraham Kesupile; and comprises of other members of parliament in Samson Guma Moyo, Ndaba Gaolathe, Ignatoius Moswaane, Konstantinos Markos, Mephato Reatile and Shaun Nthaile. Keorapetse had yesterday (Friday) reported the matter to the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and the Commissioner of Police. In his affidavit to the police, the lawmaker for Selibe-Phikwe West stated that, “In our last siting in the Parliament Public Accounts Committee Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals Resources was extensively questioned on the transactions related to the National Petroleum Fund. Following that enquiry and in subsequent days particularly on the 5th April 2018 in the late afternoon I received a phone call from Guma Samson Moyo relating to our work in the PAC concerning and relating to the NPF.”
“In the cause of our conversation aforesaid Moyo informed me that he had received a tip off from an anonymous member of the DIS that there was a plan within the DIS to either harm me or kill myself and him following what was perceived as our hostile and intense attitude in the questioning and interrogation of the National Petroleum Funds in particular the permanent Secretary who appeared before us.”
Keorapetse went on to narrate that Moyo pointed out to him that his anonymous source whom he said was a member of the DIS had informed him that they had been particularly so targeted because of their unrelenting interest and extensive questioning which seemed to expose maladministration and short comings within the government bureaucracy in respect of how the NPF was dealt with.
“I subsequently called Moyo later in the evening to discuss further this matter. We later met physically at the National Assembly on the following day. Our conversation in large part was to echo the concerns and strategies as to how best we can deal with this matter.”
He said following their conversation, he went to meet the Chairman of the PAC, Kesupile. Kesupile Informed him that Moyo had met with him to inform him about the threats that had been made to him and suggested that the entire members of the Parliament Public Accounts Committee must be given public protection following these threats.
“Kesupile informed me that following his discussion with Moyo he had met with the Vice President with respect to the need to provide Parliamentary protection for all those dealing with matter and that those discussions are ongoing and remain inconclusive.” It was then agreed between me and Mr Kesupile that I must perhaps take the matter up with the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, of which I did-he narrated.
Keorapetse stated that he was advised by the Deputy Speaker to take the matter forward with the police who may be well best suited to investigate the matter further. “I therefore submit this statement as a report to the police for further investigation and request that I be accorded the necessary protection whilst the matter is being investigated.
In this regard it seems to me that the matter of my protection is an eminent urgent matter which must be attended to so as to afford me the opportunity to interrogate the issue of the National Petroleum Fund as an elected representative of the people of Selebi Phikwe and Batswana at large,” he told the commissioner in his affidavit.
This publication has further learnt of the fact that Kesupile has since recused himself from chairing the committee. Keorapetse is expected to chair the meeting as the committee resumes on Monday. When contacted for comment, Kesupile only said “people like talking too much.”
In an interview with the speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Kokorwe on Friday, she confirmed receiving reports from Moyo, but stated that, “I told him to come on Monday so we discuss the issue further.” Kgosi’s phone rang unanswered. He has been subpoenaed by the PAC to give evidence in the matter
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Malawi appeals for help over Cyclone Freddy at PAP
As of yesterday evening, the death toll from the Cyclone in Malawi had risen from the initially reported 190 to 225 in a short period of time, over 20 000 people have been displaced, and the worst of fears are yet to come as the fatalities continue to mount. This was reported by a Malawi Member of Parliament attending the Pan African Parliament session in Midrand, South Africa, Hon Steven Mikiya.
Mikiya was giving a statement on behalf of Malawi as the ongoing Pan African Parliament in South Africa.
Mikiya said the Cyclone has wreaked the most havoc in our country’s Southern Region. “The Southern Region, has been hardest hit with widespread heavy rains and strong winds. This caused a rapid rise in water levels and subsequent flooding. Meanwhile, power supply has been disrupted, roads blocked off and rendered impassable and mudslides have also been widely reported,” he said.
He made a special appeal to the PAP: “Where I come from, there is a parable which I would like to share with you which says, “mzako weniweni umamudziwa panthawi ya mavuto.” Simply put, a friend in need is a friend indeed or put loosely, a person who helps at a difficult time is a friend you can rely on.”
Mikiya continued: “Yes! Misfortune has knocked on our door and left in its wake a trail of death and destruction that may take years to fully recover from. However, amidst these difficulties, I have every reason to believe that sometimes when you are in a dark place and think you have been buried, you have actually been planted. My belief, Mr. President, arises out of my faith in this gathering and out of the conviction that it is not coincidental that Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi and Mozambique while the delegations of both countries are here.”
According to Mikiya, the level of destruction, the loss of life, property and the decimation of the entire fabric of established communities has been unprecedented. He noted that all this, is coming at a time when Malawi was starting to show signs of recovery from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that also came hard on the heels of Cyclone Ana and Cyclone Gombe that left a similar trail of devastation and destruction in Malawi and neighbouring countries.
As of Sunday, this week, from the 12th of March, Malawi and Mozambique have been facing the devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy that made a landfall over Mozambique on Saturday the 11th and reached Malawi by Sunday the 12th of March.
The Malawi legislator said he has absolute faith in the Pan African Parliament, which he described as “a league of nations brought together by a shared ancestry, history, identity as well as our beloved continent which we inhabit”.
Meanwhile, Malawi President, Lazarus Chakwera, has declared a State of Disaster in the affected areas effectively appealing for local and international support for the affected families.
Mikiya appealed to the Pan African Parliament drawing “positive” inspiration from Europe which rallied around Turkey after the destructive earthquakes to bring the much-needed relief and humanitarian aid to the people of Turkey.
He said Africa should demonstrate to the world that the African Union and its Organs are not mere talk shows, but effective institutions which stand up when it matters most.
“Alone, it may take us a lifetime to fully recover, but together, in the Pan-Africanist spirit of Ubuntu, our lives and livelihoods will return to a semblance of normality in record time. This is the time to live by our operative mantra, “One Africa, One Voice.” Mikiya concluded.