Three senior engineers from Department of Technical Services in the Ministry of Basic Education and four senior officers from Public Procurement and Asset Disposable Board (PPADB) face possible corruption charges.
They were arrested by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) over corruption allegations involving P130 million.
The break through by the security services was part of a government operation to break the nexus of corruption between civil servants, private contractors and political leaders.
Sunday Standard investigations have turned up information that the seven officials were rounded up following a tip-off that a maintenance project in Serule village worth almost P130 million attracted suspicious financial transactions between government officials from the Ministry of Basic Education, PPADB and the contractor.
Although details are sketchy, with no charges laid against the suspects, Sunday Standard preliminary investigations can reveal that the security services reacted promptly and intercepted the exchange of millions of Pulas under dubious circumstances.
It is understood that their arrest and detention follows investigation into allegation of corruption in the award of a multi-million Pula tender for the upgrading of a school in Serule village.
The seven officers together with a senior official from the Ministry, Director of Technical Services, Neo Motlhagodi, are assisting the agency with investigations. It is understood that the tender is in relation to the matter in which Permanent Secretary Bridget John was also arrested and questioned for alleged corruption activities.
In an interview with this publication John’s lawyer, Unoda Mack confirmed that his clients together with others were detained, questioned about corruption allegations in relation to maintenance of Bonwatlou Junior Secondary School in Serule.
“What I can assure you is that she is cooperating fully. My instruction from her is that she does not have any idea in relation to the alleged corruption. I can confirm that she was questioned about the school in Serule,” said Mack.
