- He believes the charges are politically motivated
- Has joined the opposition Botswana Patriotic Front
GAZETTE REPORTER
The Gaborone High Court has set former Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP) Cater Morupisi’s corruption and money laundering case for April 2021.
At the case status hearing in Gaborone yesterday (Tuesday), Justice Mokwadi Gabanagae said
Morupisi and his wife Pinny’s trial will take place from 12 to 14 April.
Morupisi faces two counts of corruption, namely abuse of office and acceptance of bribe by a public officer, and a third count in which he is jointly charged with R7 Group and his wife with money laundering. These offences are alleged to be in connection with misappropriation of funds from the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund.
In November last year, Justice Gabanagae ruled against the Morupisis’ application of no case to answer against the state. “In conclusion, I find that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the three accused in respect of the charges they are facing,” he said. “Critically that part of the money was used to buy the Toyota Land Cruiser in question, if it is to be believed, an inference can be drawn that Manor Squad Services was used as a vehicle to conceal that the true giver of the valuable consideration was CMB and that the Morupisi actively participated in the plan for the benefit of R7 Group Pty (Ltd), wife Pinny and him.
“I feel that the state has led evidence to show that the accused persons had reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that the property was derived or realised, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from any confiscation offence. This can be inferred from the way the purported sale agreement was prepared and executed.”
Meanwhile, Morupisi recently joined former president Ian Khama’s Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF). He believes his case is politically motivated.