Gaborone-based lawyer Gabriel Kanjabanga has said the state is out to persecute him. Kanjabanga accuses the State of trying to run him out of business as well as shut down his law firm.
This week, the expelled Botswana National Front (BNF) politician rushed to court after police raided a company he co-owns on allegations that it could be supplying counterfeit merchandise.
The company specializes in the supply of computers and Information technology equipment and has won several tenders in government and the private sector.
In papers already filed before the Lobatse High Court, Kanjabanga is suing the Attorney General Athaliah Molokomme and Commissioner of Police, Keabetswe Makgope, for confisticating his stock on allegations that it could be fake without a warrant.
In an interview with the SundayStandard, Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation Department, Kesetsenao Tsweneitsele, revealed that his unit is investigating a company co-owned by Kanjabanga for possibly selling counterfeit products.
“At this point investigations are still ongoing therefore I am not in opposition to say much about the investigations,” he said, adding that he was not yet certain when the investigations would be completed.
“It is very difficult for me to suggest when the investigations will be completed,” he further stated.
Information reaching the Sunday Standard is that an American company is considering suing Kanjabanga’s company while the state is planning to press criminal charges.
It is alleged that the United Nations office in Gaborone allegedly bought HP cartridges which crushed its printer.
In a separate interview Kanjabanga confirmed that his company is supplying the said goods but denied they were counterfeit.
He said that his company had been cleared by the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) and cleared by customs officials and that the company’s suppliers in Dubai and Hong Kong had furnished his company with certificates authorizing him to trade.
Kanjabanga said that even the media is buying into the state sponsored persecution.
“I wanted to do a good thing…my property is at stake, I have employees who have to get paid…I pay taxes….,”said Kanjabanga
“The State is hot on my heels, they want to close my business,” he added.
He said on his pending criminal charges the State is still pursuing him despite the fact that he had compensated the complainants.
“In the past they denied me a passport alleging I was a Namibian citizen…now it’s my business. I have potential to lose a lot of business,” he said.
