In a dramatic turn of events, one of the suspects in the Central Medical Stores (CMS) saga, who is believed to be the ring leader of a gang that allegedly defrauded the Ministry of Health of a cash amount to the tune of P21 million, has handed himself to the police to face criminal charges.
After realizing that Interpol was closing in on him, Thabo Lekwae, who had been on the run for over two years and been hiding in South Africa, recently phoned the police to say he wanted to come back home and they should arrange for his arrival.
He is reported to have gone to the Embassy of Botswana and claimed that his passport was lost and an emergency traveling document was issued to him.
He then came to Botswana where he handed himself over to the police.
However, Detective Senior Superintendent Victor Mabina, of the Serious Crimes Squad, said, “It is good that he handed himself to the police because he has a number of cases that are pending before court.”
He added: “The Serious Crimes Squad is still looking for the other 4 suspects who are also linked to the CMS case.”
He said among the wanted is another Motswana, Reunet Mondira of Lerala Village in Tswapong, who is also hiding in South Africa.
Mondira also has pending cases with other police stations, said Mabina.
The other three suspects, he said, are South African nationals who he believes will be arrested.
“I am hopeful that the remaining suspects will be nailed,” he said.
About 11 other suspects are being tried before the outgoing regional magistrate Lot Moroka, who has since been appointed to the High Court bench.
