Ian Khama says reports of possible corruption charges over Seleka Springs revive a decades-old procurement dispute and raise fears of political persecution.
GAZETTE REPORTER
Former president Ian Khama says he and members of his family could face corruption charges over Seleka Springs and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) procurement dealings, describing any such action as a potential “witch hunt” and persecution.
Khama said he had encountered only media reports and allegations about possible charges. He could not dismiss them, however, because similar reports involving other high-profile figures had been followed by action from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).
“We hear of impending charges against members of the Khama family in relation to Seleka Springs and BDF tender issues,” he said.
“What we hear are reports and media allegations, but you would have realised that almost all the allegations against high-profile people who have been charged have come to pass. So we cannot rule anything out.”
Khama described what he saw as an emerging pattern of reports circulating before charges were confirmed by the agency.
Decades-Old Dispute
The former president said the Seleka Springs matter dated back approximately 28 years to his tenure as BDF commander.
He said DCEC officials, led by founding director Graham Stockwell, had advised him to declare conflicts whenever procurement involved his brothers. Stockwell left the DCEC in 1997.
“I received gentlemen from the DCEC who advised me that whenever there was any procurement involving the Khama brothers, declarations had to be made.”
Khama said the advice was reinforced by then Permanent Secretary to the President Elijah Legwaila, who was his superior at the time.
“This advice was heeded as far as I am concerned.”
He said the matter had not been raised against him or his family in the manner now being reported during his subsequent years in government, including his decade as president.
Persecution Alleged
Khama questioned the motives behind any attempt to prosecute him over the matter.
“If it is true that we are being pursued, this will be persecution,” he said.
He alleged that individuals associated with the previous administration could be behind the renewed interest.
“This will be persecution by some agents and remnants of the former regime who still form part of the new government,” he said.
Earlier Investigations
In 2019, media reports said the DCEC had reopened investigations involving Seleka Springs after an earlier investigation was allegedly halted because of external influence.
Then DCEC director general Joseph Mathambo was reported to have confirmed the reopening of the investigations.
Separate reports in September 2019 said the agency had reactivated a docket concerning Khama and his brothers, Tshekedi and Anthony Khama, over BDF tenders. The historical allegations centred on Seleka Springs, a company associated with Tshekedi and Anthony, and its dealings with the military.
Khama said he continued to treat the reports of impending charges as allegations.
“We cannot rule anything out, but hope these are just fabrications,” he said.
He alleged that retaining what he called the BDP’s “evil agents well-known to the UDC” would allow the state to continue pursuing personal vendettas.