P15 million trouble for Kgori Capital
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Kgori Capital, a company formerly owned by Bakang Seretse was last week put under a restraining order for an amount in the sum of P15 million by Lobatse High Court Judge Abednego Tafa. Alphonse Ndzinge is the new Executive Manager.
Delivering the order, Judge Tafa narrated that he was relying on Section 35(3) of the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act, Cap 08:03. “The order relates to the credit amount of P15million standing to the credit of Investment Account Number: 3000 448 474-INV held by Afena Capital Botswana Kgori Capital with Bank Gaborone. The receiver shall take control of all property specified in the order pending the institution and finalization of proceedings for a Civil Penalty Order,” Judge Tafa ruled.
He went on to stress that all persons with knowledge of this order were, other than as required and permitted by the order, prohibited from dealing with the said amount, “Except in the manner or circumstances, if any, specified in the order.” The sum in question is a portion of the total credit balance of P30m standing to the same account as at January 22, 2018.
An affidavit deposed by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Stephen Tiroyakgosi states that the amount in question represents a reasonable estimate of the value of benefits and incidental expenses derived by Kgori Capital as a result of a multiple serious related criminal activities. The offences include cheating the public revenue; abuse of public office; obtaining by false pretences and money laundering.
The court heard that Kgori Capital had over a period of 10 months, debited to the Kgori National Petroleum Fund Account held with Stanbic Bank the total amount of P10m ostensibly as management fees contrary to the consultancy agreement. The consultancy agreement is that Kgori Capital could only benefit as a sub-contractor with whatever fees it might be entitled to, claimable from Basis Points Capital Botswana Limited from the consultancy price.
“By paying itself the so called management fees from the Kgori National Petroleum Fund account, Kgori Capital breached the National Petroleum Fund and diverted to itself the said P10m. As investigations are continuing, this figure is likely to change, especially at the time of making of the substantive order,” states Tiroyakgosi in his affidavit.
It is said that from March 7, 2016 to December 14, 2017, various debits were entered against the National Petroleum Fund account No: 906 000 208 5742 held with Stanbic Bank, with the amounts credited to the Kgori Capital bank account No: 906 000143 6320 held by Kgori Capital with Stanbic Bank Botswana allegedly as management fees in payment to Kgori Capital.
The information before court further suggests that the investigations have revealed that the National Petroleum Fund consultancy agreement had only Basis Points Capital as the only contracting party with Botswana government concerning the services that Kgori Capital purported to render and to be entitled to be paid for. “Kgori Capital could only render the services to government as a sub-contractor under the consultancy agreement, with all its fees only claimable from and payable by Basis Points Capital.”
“By reason of this conduct by Kgori Capital, public finance standing to the credit of the National Petroleum Fund was overreached and over P10m was diverted from the public revenue and thereby depriving the revenue of money to which it was entitled,” the affidavits further outlines. This, according to the affidavit, was signed for under the hand of Kenneth Kerekang, notwithstanding the whole consultancy agreement being between Botswana government and Basis Points Capital.
The Department of Energy late last year withdrew all National Petroleum Fund monies and investment portfolios from respective banks and investment institutions. A communication from the Department of Energy stated that all proceeds into the National Petroleum Fund would now be deposited into the Government Remittance account held at Bank of Botswana. Furthermore, all commitments out of the Fund shall be routed through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for payment through the Government Remittance account.
The latest decision by government follows a series of events originated by a money laundering charge on one Bakang Seretse who was Managing Director of Kgori Capital is in his personal capacity implicated in a case involving P326 million which is perceived as thus far the leading financial scandal in monetary value. Bakang is accused alongside two others, Botho Leburu and Kenneth Kerekang. One of Bakang’s companies has apparently been administering the National Petroleum Fund (NPF) since 2016. It is also understood that Minister of Mineral Resources, Green technology and Energy Security.
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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.