Police have launched an investigation into reports that test papers taken by hundreds of students studying at technical training colleges throughout Botswana were offered for sale. Sunday Standard investigations have turned up information that final year students were asked to deposit P800 into a First National Bank account belonging to an instructor in exchange for leaked examination papers.
It is feared that the leak may have been masterminded by a cartel of school authorities after a training instructor at Madirelo Training Centre, who is at the centre of a police investigations, was redeployed as a transport officer in what is believed to be an attempted cover up. So far, no disciplinary action has been taken against the culprits by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees technical training colleges.
Detective Assistant Superintendent Maziba Duna of Urban Police Station in Gaborone confirmed that they are investigating the leak. “So far one suspect has been questioned by the police in connection with the matter,” he said.
Duna said the first suspected examination paper leakage was detected at Palapye where six students were involved. Then another leak was reported in Selibi-Phikwe where fifteen were implicated. Then there was Gaborone Technical College where at least 13 students are believed to have been involved followed by Jwaneng and Maun.
The investigating officer said they have not been able to track the money that was allegedly deposited by the students into the suspects’ bank account.
He said police investigations are almost complete and the docket will then be referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution.
When contact for comment Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs spokesperson, Osesenaqa Lekgoko, told Sunday Standard Friday afternoon that “there was an examination leakage in some of the vocational colleges that offer NCC throughout the country”.
Lekgoko was, however, reluctant to discuss details saying, “I am not in a position as yet to discuss the matter.”
Meanwhile, High Court judge, Justice David Newman, last week threw out with costs an urgent court application by four Selibi-Phikwe Technical college students, Tshepo Montlanen, Odirile Olobile, Morrian Gaolaolwe and Bethuel Rannowane, who wanted the court to force the institution to release their examination results that have been nullified.
Justice Newman said the applicants failed to demonstrate why their case should be regarded as urgent.
