GAZETTE REPORTER
Justice Zein Kebonang has taken the decision to recuse himself from presiding over a case between the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) and former Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) staff officer, Tsholofelo Bareetsi.
Attorney General’s Recusal Request
The Attorney General (AG) had filed for Kebonang’s recusal from the matter, citing elements of bias. Bareetsi is currently suing the state for defamation, claiming that the state lied about him protecting high-profile accused persons who the state believed threatened national security. When issuing the order on August 15th, Kebonang directed that the Registrar place this case before another judge and that the cost of the application be borne by the applicants, being the AG, DIS, and DIS Spokesperson Edward Robert.
Life Threatened by DIS
Detailing his reasons for recusal, Kebonang explained that his life was in danger. “Earlier in the year, I reported to the Botswana Police Service that the Directorate on Intelligence and Security Service was planning to plant contraband and incriminate me in wrongdoing, and that I had learned from a reliable source that there was an assassination plan also being put in place by the DISS to kill me. In the incriminating plan, I indicated that the AG had also been co-opted into it,” states Kebonang. He also added that the AG and the DIS were “a threat to his judicial position and worse, I see the DISS as potential killers.” He further adds that he believes even the Botswana Police Service was compromised and would never properly investigate his case against the DIS.
Allegations Against DIS
“The fear I have of the DISS is not without basis nor is it an unreasonable one. The DISS has in the past forged warrants of arrest against the late Isaac Kgosi; falsely accused the former President of the Republic of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Isaac Kgosi, and Welheminah Maswabi of stealing P100 billion from the reserve bank; falsely implicated Thapelo Matsheka in a murder case; falsely accused the late Isaac Kgosi of unlawful possession of firearms; falsely charged the former Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe and Bruno Paledi of corruption and abuse of office; arrested a number of Permanent Secretaries; raided the DCEC offices under false pretenses; ignored court orders, and, as was reported in one of the local newspapers, put a hit on Jako Hubona. The DISS is also reportedly involved in illegal drug trafficking and/or turf wars and corrupt government tenders.”
DIS Described as Criminal Institution
Kebonang points out that it is against the above background that the DISS cannot be said to be an institution covered in glory.
“It is a criminal institution that has and continues to threaten the citizens of this country. Through its France Museveni Facebook page, it has subjected numerous people to ridicule and hate. In its last onslaught against me, it declared that I would be ‘dead in two months.’ The perpetrators of this criminal syndicate remain in office and out of reach while the country suffers.”