- The investigation officers were working on high profile cases
- Officers have been transferred to different Govโt ministries
- DCEC confirms transfers but refused to share details
The Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has embarked on a โcleansing exerciseโ targeting its key investigators who are reportedly working on high profile cases by transferring them to different ministries.
The move has raised eye-brows in some quarters, with sources indicating that at least seven officers are victims of the well-orchestrated campaign.
When he was re-appointed last year, DCEC Director General Tymon Katlholo, who was taking over from Brigadier Joseph Matambo who left under a cloud, there was expectation that he will turn around the โweakโ corruption busting agency and steer it in the right direction.
Although he has occupied the same position before, his detractors pointed out that his second coming may not necessarily improve the performance of the DCEC arguing โone cannot teach the old dog new tricksโ.
The DCEC of today is criticised by the public for the way it deals with high profile cases. Members of the public are concerned by the perceived escalation of corruption cases. One of the commentators observed that as long as structural challenges remain at DCEC, the new boss has an uphill battle.
They also indicated that there is external pressure from outside to investigate politically linked persons more especially the ruling elite, a pronouncement which was dismissed by Katlholo in one of his media engagements.
Pundits say under his watchful eye, back in the days, high profile cases were brought before court including that of former Debswana boss, Louis Nchindo, where former President Festus Mogae testified against his long-time ally.
However, the DCEC of today is reported to be lacking independence to investigate corruption and relies much on government and it is merely used as a public relations unit that ticks the graft busting box for politicians.
When reached for comment DCEC spokesperson, Lentswe Motshoganetsi, this week confirmed the mass exodus of their officers.
โI can confirm that some senior and middle management officers at the DCEC have been transferred to different ministries and departments. However I am not in a position to discuss much on the said transfers as they are effected by the PSP’s Office. Kindly liaise with the said office for more information concerning the transfers. Furthermore, I cannot divulge the assignments the said officers were doing due to the confidentiality of the matters and for the security of the officers,โ he said.
It is alleged that some of the high profile cases that effected the move include the controversial P100 billion case and the famous โButterflyโ case, with the latter reportedly being reinvestigated after almost all the charges were dropped.
The million dollar case has implicated big shots the likes of former President Dr Ian Khama, former Director General of the Intelligence organ, Colonel Isaac Kgosi, Bridget Motsepe- Radebe, the South African business tycoon who is sister to South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe and First Lady of South Africa; Tshepo Motsepe (Ramaphosa). Additionally, it includes former DIS agent, Welheminah Maswabi code name Butterfly, who has already been charged.
Last year the DCEC disowned their key investigator, Jako Hubona in the P100 billion scandal that has seen some individuals hauled before the courts for alleged embezzlement and financial terrorism. The State argues that the money was siphoned from Bank of Botswana coffers.
Again the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) seems to have hit a brick wall in its quest to prosecute the Directorate on Intelligence and Securityโs (DIS) suspended agent, Welheminah Mphoeng Maswabi popularly known as Butterfly for the most crucial charge amongst the charges she is facing.
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After charging Maswabi with three counts including financing terrorism, the State has backed down admitting difficulty on the charge and its ability to gather evidence. The 47-year-old Butterfly now remains charged with two counts; possession of unexplained property and false declaration of a passport.
Before the charge of financing terrorism was dropped, she was accused of moving money around linked to former spy chief, Isaac Kgosi. She was also accused of having the sum of U$D390 million in her personal account and having five different passports she used to travel across the world one of which is said to be a diplomatic passport which she has not surrendered to the police.
Impeccable sources within the corruption busting agency also allege that the move to transfer most of the investigating officers is to allow DCEC time to โkillโ some of these cases while others are being revisited.
In November 2020, Isaac Kgosi was discharged and acquitted by the High Court in the P250 million National Petroleum Fund (NPF) case. Also acquitted was former Department of Energy Director, Kenneth Kerekang. Kgosi and Kerekang were charged alongside Bakang Seretse, Judge Zein Kebonang and former cabinet Minister Sadique Kebonang among others.
Delivering judgement, Justice Michael Leburu said the State has failed to produce reasonable probable evidence to prosecute Kgosi. He said the decision to charge Kgosi and Kerekang was irrational and ordered that the charges against the two men be set aside.
Leburu also cited a recent case in which a panel of three judges set aside the decision to prosecute the Kebonang twin brothers. Kgosi was charged with corruption by public officer and abuse of office.
