The Botswana Congress Party and the Botswana Alliance Movement have revealed their intentions to approach Botswana Police and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic crime to launch investigations against the alleged corrupt relationship between the ruling Botswana Democratic Party, De Beers and former President sir Ketumile Masire.
Information reaching The Telegraph indicates that the BAM/BCP alliance intends to pressurize the DCEC and the police to investigate possible money laundering and corruption, after reports surfaced that De Beers funneled funds towards the ruling BDP and Masire.
The issue surfaced at a February 21st leadership forum held by the two alliance partners, at which it was decided that pressure should be mounted on the national leadership to answer to allegations of possible corrupt practices.
BAM-BCP are said to have raised concerns at De Beers’ disregard for corporate governance and reports that Debswana facilitated the diversion of public resources to advance the interests of the BDP and its leadership.
BCP’s Dumelang Saleshando confirmed the recent developments, saying that they are currently exploring legal and political avenues through which Masire, De Beers, Debswana and the BDP can be brought to book.
They are also contemplating filing charges against the Minister of Defense Justice and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse, after it emerged that a company that he owns enjoys contracts from his ministry.
“As a Minister, Seretse should not have enjoyed tenders from a ministry that he heads. It is complete disregard of the ethics of corporate governance,” said Saleshando.
He added that they intend to liaise with civic organizations to mount pressure on President Ian Khama to sack Seretse and comment on the goings on at the BDP.
“Minister Seretse cannot be trusted to protect the interests of the public when they are in conflict with his private business interests. As a custodian of public resources, he cannot double as a customer of the same ministry that he heads,” said Saleshando.
BCP/BAM parliamentarians are also expected to table a motion calling for the setting up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the operations of De Beers and Debswana.
They will also seek audience with De Beers management to get the facts straight.
