Commissioner of Police, Thebeyame Tsimako, told Gaborone Regional Magistrate Court on Monday that former Cabinet Minister Dikgakgamatso Seretse, who is on trial for corruption, did not have inside information on the police tender at the centre of corruption charges.
Seretse, former Defence, Justice and Security Minister, resigned from Cabinet last year after the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) filed charges against him for failing to disclose his interest in RFT Botswana. The Prosecution case hinges on the fact that RFT Botswana went on to win a tender to supply Botswana Police, a department under Seretse’s ministry, with aviation ground support equipment for its newly created air branch division.
By yesterday (Monday) the prosecution’s case seemed to be running out of steam after the prosecution’s witness, Tsimako, told the court that Seretse was not involved in the procurement processes.
During cross examination by Seretse’s lawyer, Parks Tafa, Tsimako told the court that Seretse was never involved in the Botswana Police Service’s procurement processes.
“Was he at anytime involved in your procurement activities,” Tafa asked.
“Ministers have nothing to do with procurement of any services,” replied Tsimako.
The Commissioner of Police told the court that when Seretse assumed office as minister of Defence, Justice and Security in April 2008, he (Tsimako) prepared a brief to appraise him on the number of projects the Botswana Police Service was undertaking for the financial year 2008/2009.
He told the court that during their meeting, he informed Seretse about the Police’s Air Wing division and that a number of officers had been enrolled with different organization for training.
Tsimako said that he did not discuss specific details surrounding these projects.
He also told court that personally he did not deal with any aspect of procurement.
Tsimako said that following the floating of the tender, he was told that only two companies had tendered. He said that he never inquired on the names of the companies.
Tafa sought to know from the Police Commissioner whether he could have disclosed to Seretse details about the police tender when he briefed him after Seretse assumed office as minister of Defence, Justice and Security. The prosecution’s contention is that Seretse came across information about the tender by virtue of his office as minister; however Tsimako was of little assistance on this point.
“Your Worship, my officers who dealt with procurement of the tender will be in a better position to explain but what I know is that a company does not win a tender because of its directors or who its owners are,” Tsimako told the court.
He added that a company normally wins a tender after it meets the conditions set out in the tender document.
Tsimako said that he could not attest as to how Seretse got hold of the information regarding the Police tender, stating that the information inviting companies to tender usually contains all the details.
He said that the tender was advertised on the 18th of May 2008 and closed on the 18th of June 2008
In what could turn out to be another blow to the prosecution case, Tsimako also told the court that the Botswana Police was the procuring entity.
He said that in terms of the Public Procurement and Assert Disposal Board (PPADB) he is the accounting officer for the Botswana Police.
“Are you aware if the said police tender was referred to or dealt with by cabinet,” asked Tafa.
“Certainly not aware,”said Tsimako.
Tsimako said that if the tender was taken to cabinet for discussion he would have known.
The prosecution charge sheet accuses Seretse of failing to declare to cabinet and President Ian Khama about his interest.
The case continues before Magistrate Barnabas Nyamadzabo as the prosecution, led by Rahiman Khan, continues to call more witnesses.
