Charge Isaac Kgosi
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The omission of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) Director General Isaac Kgosi from prosecution in the ongoing case of money laundering involving Bakang Seretse and company has opened a can worms.
It is understood that Seretse has divulged in his affidavit before court that the P250 million transfers to an Israeli company named Dignia Systems’s bank account were at the written instruction of the DIS chief. Dr. Obolokile Obakeng, acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Green Technology and Energy Security, is said to have authorised the variation at the request of the DIS.
High Court Judge Godfrey Radijeng has also stated in his judgement in December that “the applicant averred that the P250 million disbursement to a Khulaco (Pty) Ltd account at Capital Bank was not approved by the NPF Management Committee, did not follow established procedure for disbursements, there was no tender for the project, and one Kenneth Kerekang alone purported to approve the request by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) on same date (7th August 2017) the request was made by DIS.”
Seretse’s lawyer, a Gaborone based audacious attorney, Kgosietsile Ngakaagae also has stated this week when his clients appeared for mention before the Broadhurst Magistrate Court having moved from Gaborone Regional Magistrate south, Christopher Gabanagae that Kgosi should also be prosecuted in the matter.
Ngakaagae told court in his oral submissions that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) says that they have a case with them to answer for, “we say bring it on, and I must say they must bring other people. We will be talking about them as we go forward.”
When the Magistrate interjected to ask who he was referring to, he mentioned DIS boss Isaac Kgosi, Dr. (Obolokile) Obakeng from the Ministry of Minerals, Green Technology and Energy Security;saying they must bring all the other people from government who are involved in this matter.
Seretse threatened that if they failed to do so, “and I had thought I would leave this note for the future but we will file for the review of the DPP’s decision not to charge these individuals if at all my clients are guilty. We will not bow down to selective justice at the hands of DPP and government. We will then ask for a review of their decision.” So next time, he said Isaac Kgosi will have to sit there (pointing) in the docket including Dr. Obakeng and the others left out in the matter.
When he stated this, the Director of Prosecution Ambrose Mobika (DPP) rose to say that was not the issue that was brought by Ngakaagae. In turn Ngakaagae defended himself saying it was an instant answer that was asked by the Magistrate as to whom he was referring to by those people. Outside the Regional Magistrate court, after the hearing, Ngakaagae told WeekendPost that they have always been asking the DCEC that if at all his clients are guilty, why then are particular people not being prosecuted.
“And then all we get is harassment from the DCEC. The main issue is we are questioning power and because we are questioning power we are being harassed. Our clients are being harassed simply because they are demanding answers as to why some people like Kgosi are not being charged when they were charged when the initiators of the corruption have been left out,” he said.
According to Ngakaagae, one cannot say someone transferred 250 million pula at the instruction of someone, and then only the one who transferred the funds gets charged while the instructor gets left out. He said DCEC is a hopeless department that does not fight corruption but protects it adding that this simple act of “selective charging” is in of itself simple an act of corruption done by the DCEC.
“And we will not back off in demanding that things be done properly. We are not going to back off, neither are we going to be intimated, we are not scared, indeed they can shoot us and do whatever they want to do to us. But we are going to deal with this matter in our best judgement in terms of our best discretion and we are going to leave no stone unturned to ensure that there is no selective justice,” the oddball attorney pointed out.
He continued: “if our clients have committed any offence so be it, let them be charged but if anyone else has committed the offence that they are alleged to have committed then let that same people suffer the same treatment.” Ngakaagae went on to state that they are not going to allow Seretse and the co-accused to become scape goats for what the executive did. “It is absolute rubbish,” he added in a poignant voice.
When further quizzed by this publication on his assessment on why Kgosi was not charged he stated that “the trouble is I cannot discuss the merits of the trial as it will be unlawful. I will be in trouble with Magistrate if I try to do that. Right now am not going into the merits of the trial.” He added that “I am simply asking why if at all it is said my clients stole the money, then why are those people who came up with the instruction for the money to be transferred (DIS) not in the court, that’s all we asking.”
He however said he is not sure whether the exclusion of Kgosi in the case would or would not jeopardize the case and that therefore it’s upon the DPP to make judgement in that regard. According to Ngakaagae, his clients have not committed any offence. “I want everyone to understand that. If at all having to transfer money was an offence then it was an offence by those who told him to do so. So that’s essentially the long and short of what I am saying,” he said.
When WeekendPost approached the DPP to respond to Ngakaagae’s comments on Kgosi after the court session he said that “nnyaa o bua hela, nnyaa o bua hela (he is just lying to the court),” that is why I was objecting that no it cannot be the case.”
When pressed further to state if they could have charged Kgosi and others he insisted “I have no idea,” and then refused to comment further. Kgosi’s mobile phone also rang unanswered at the time of going to print.
This publication also sought clarity from Ngakaagae about the letter written to the Attorney General implicating the President, Vice president, Ministers together with Isaac Kgosi that they may have benefitted somehow from the controversial 250 million pula from the National Petroleum Fund (NDF) which the DPP has charged his clients on as proceeds of crime.
On the authenticity of the controversial letter, Ngakaagae could only reluctantly say: “no comment, I can’t comment on that. I can’t comment on any letter especially those said to have been leaked or edited. I can’t comment on that.” The letter had also implied that there are some within the Intelligence community that plan to kill Bakang Seretse and those associated with him.
“We have been put under instructions to advice the public of the intentions thereof. The Commissioner of Police and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) have already been alerted of the threat. As indicated in the correspondence, we will be proceeding in our own deliberate judgement and will not be intimidated by the threats, however grave,” he asserted in the said letter. In light of the afore-going threats, Ngakaagae stated that the state shall be held responsible for the deaths of his clients, their attorneys thereof or their family members.
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Mascom, Letshego partner to deliver the MyZaka instant loan
Letshego Botswana has recently partnered with Mascom to launch the Mascom MyZaka Instant Loan, a customer focused mobile money microloan service designed to provide customers with swift and convenient access to funds, driven by the underlying theme of “Ithuse” meaning “help yourself”
The loan is said to have been developed through a partnership driven by a deep customer focus with the key objectives of access, convenience and flexible financial support to customers of Letshego Botswana and Mascom through instantly disbursed short-term loans from P50 to P1 500 over the period of one month.
Letshego’s head of transformation, Molebogeng Malomo highlighted that working through agile methodologies, the partnership was able to develop and be released as what they call a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or solution. “In keeping up with the spirit of design thinking and agile methodologies, the experiences and viewpoints of both Letshego Botswana and Mascom’s customers will be valuable to inform further enhancements to the Mascom MyZaka solution,” he said.
He further noted that the partnership and the development of the MyZaka instant loan will provide both the organizations to diversify their offering and customer base, while also offering the customer more choices and flexibility to initiate and be in control of their loan requests through the self-service mobile based application.
Mascom’s Chief Executive Officer, Dzene Makhwade-Seboni also alluded that their origins, priorities and initiatives are firmly rooted in Botswana and in the success of all Batswana, and that their strategy and intent is supported by embracing innovative problem-solving.
“The speed with which Letshego has grown over the years gives us confidence that we have partnered with the right service provider. Their expertise and most of all, innovation, a value we both share, will be beneficial to MyZaka Mobile Money for growth and for the convenience of our subscribers,” she concluded.
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DCEC granted warrant to arrest Khama twins
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has been granted permission to apprehend the former Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama, and his twin brother Anthony Khama.
Information gathered by this publication suggests that the DCEC is actively searching for the Khama brothers, this is in connection with events that transpired whilst Tshekedi was Minister of Environment. The duo is currently in exile in South Africa together with their elder brother, and former President Lt Gen Ian Khama.
Approximately two weeks ago, the corruption-busting agency discreetly filed for an arrest warrant that was approved by the Broadhurst Magistrate Court for the two to be taken into custody, according to a highly placed source within the government enclave.
DCEC is also said to have filed an affidavit signed by a high-ranking officer known to this publication. Reports indicate that after being presented with details of the case, the Broadhurst magistrate issued the agency an arrest warrant.
It is also believed that the agency has been conducting extensive investigations into the supposed suspects for quite some time. Furthermore, Weekend Post has it on good word that the DCEC has been looking for methods to summon the two for questioning but has been unsuccessful.
According to unconfirmed reports, DCEC met with attorney Victor Ramalepa, who refused to accept the summons, saying that he is not their attorney. Furthermore, it is believed that DCEC has enlisted the assistance of the Botswana Police Service (BPS) in flagging the suspects’ names in the International Criminal Police Organisation INTERPOL.
Responding to WeekendPost enquiries, DCEC spokesperson Lentswe Motshoganetsi said, “I am not in good position to confirm or deny the allegation,” adding that such allegations may fall within the operational purview of the DCEC.
When contacted for comment, Ramalepa briefly stated that he is unaware of the purported arrest warrant. “I know nothing about the warrant and I haven’t been served with anything,” he said.
Meanwhile, former president Lt Gen Ian Khama recently issued a statement stating that DIS is intensifying the harassment and intimidation of him, family, friends and office employees.
“It is reprehensible for state officials and agencies to abuse government resources to terrorise their own citizens for personal gain,” said the former president in a statement.
He also stated that his brother TK’s staff and security were ordered to falsely implicate him. “Their desperate tactics will never work, it only serves to motivate me more to pursue regime change and free Botswana from tyranny,” he said
This comes after the corruption busting agency wants to interview the alleged suspects as they are still hiding in South Africa since last year.
Despite the hostility between government and Khama family going unabated, last month, Masisi extended an olive branch to Khama in political rally, indicating that he hopes the two of them settle their differences, of which the former responded by welcoming the gesture.
Khama further said his brother, Tshekedi, will facilitate the reconciliation of his behalf. Many have indicated that Masisi did not say what he said in good faith, and was only scoring political brownies since he was in Khama’s territory in Shoshong.
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DCEC’s Tshepo Pilane still has his mojo
Tshepo Pilane silenced his critics after being named the head of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) in May of last year and served his opponents humble pie. Many believed he would only last for a month, but almost a year later, he is still standing.
Pilane, a trained soldier whose appointment surprised both the general public and some officers within the DCEC walls, has never glanced back in his duty to steer the DCEC ship forward.
It is alleged that immediately after his appointment the man embarked on a nation-wide trip touring the DCEC offices across the country in order to confirm and reaffirm the DCEC’s mandate. Sources from inside the DCEC claim that Pilane won the hearts of many DCEC employees due to his humility and plain message; “people at the top of the DCEC will come and go but the mandate of the DCEC remains relevant and unchanged.”
Pilane was appointed the Acting DCEC Director General at a time when the organisation was undergoing turbulence through court proceedings in which the suspended Director General Tymon Katlholo had interdicted the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) from accessing the DCEC premises. At the time, the DIS had raided the DCEC offices in the absence of Katlholo claiming to be looking for high profile corruption cases allegedly held by Katlholo.
At the time Pilane was Head of the DCEC Intelligence Division holding the position of Senior Assistant Director General reporting directly to the Deputy Director General Operations Ms Priscilla Israel. Contrary to his detractors, Pilane who is a reserved and humble person by nature won the support and backing of many DCEC officers due to his unassuming nature.
In a recent questionnaire sent to the DCEC regarding Pilane’s term in office, the DCEC was resolute on its commitment towards the fight against corruption. When quizzed on allegations of rife corruption since he took over, Pilane through his Public Relations (PR) office stated that the corruption landscape in Botswana remains unchanged as the DCEC continues to receive reports on allegations of corruption with sectors such as procurement (tenders and supplies), Transport (licensing and certificates), and land (dubious allocation and collusion) still leading issues reported. This trend has been consistence in the DCEC database for more than 10 years.
When further quizzed on accusations that suggest that due to the infighting at the agency, particularly at the top management, Investigations of cases has dropped significantly the DCEC claimed ignorance to the matter, stating that they are not aware of any “infights” at the DCEC “at the top management”, further stating that, investigations of cases has increased significantly, contrary to the allegations raised. “The DCEC is currently seeking new ways of expediting the investigations in order to fast track its enforcement role,” said the DCEC Head of Public Relations Lentswe Motshoganetsi. He further stated that the DCEC is in pursuit of high profile cases involving money and assets valued over P900 million. Three companies are involved in the scandal and two cases have already been committed to court while on one, investigations are about to be completed.
When WeekendPost inquired about Pilane’s roadmap, the DCEC stated that in the past, anti-corruption interventions were reactive, particularly in dealing with national projects that involve large sums of money. It was further started that in most instances investigating such matters takes a long time and in most instances, the money looted form Government in never recovered. As a result, the DCEC has taken a deliberate stance to attach its officers from the Corruption Prevention Division to be part of the implementation of these projects before, during, and after implementation.
The DCEC cited the Economic Stimulus Programme which, although meant to grow the economy and uplift Batswana from poverty, yielded incidents of corruption and poor workmanship. To date, the DCEC is still grappling with cases as some projects were not done, or were completed with defects beyond repair. Currently the DCEC is involved at the Ministry of Education conducting project risk management in the Multiple Path Ways Program at Moeng College and Maun Senior School. This intervention will spread to other sectors of the economy as part of the DCEC’s corruption prevention strategy.
Of recent, the DCEC has been in the media for all the wrong reasons following leakage of high profile cases and allegations claiming that the executive management is at war with each other more particularly with some within the agency harbouring ambitions to dethrone Pilane from the Directorship.
Although the infighting was denied by Pilane’s Office, he acknowledged that leakage of information is a problem across Government and stated that it is a pain at the DCEC. He however stated that Staff has been cautioned against leakage of investigation information and that they have roped in the Botswana Police to assist in investigating incidents of leakage. He further stated that they have increased continuous vetting and lifestyle audits for DCEC employees in order to enforce discipline.
Pilane’s term comes to an end in May 2023 after serving the DCEC for a year on acting basis. It will be in the public interest to see who will be given the baton to continue the anti-corruption journey if Pilane’s contract is not renewed. The DCEC has seen arrival and departure of Director Generals having alternated the top seat five times in less than seven years.