Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) boss Peter Magosi and the former director of Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Joseph Mathambo may be in trouble with the law.
They are being investigated by police following audio recordings leaks that went viral on social media.
The DCEC reported the audio leaks to the Botswana Police Service. The duo is suspected to be the prime suspects of the audio recordings.
Following the audio recording of a meeting between the top brass of DCEC, DISS and DPP relating to the P100 billion allegedly stolen from the Bank of Botswana by former President Ian Khama’s administration the police have been roped in to investigate the circumstances that led to the leaks.
It is understood that police have identified two possible prime suspects being Magosi and Mathambo who might have played a crucial role in the secret audio recording during the meeting.
It is understood that police investigators have not yet established the motive behind the leaked recordings.
DCEC acting spokesperson Otshepheng Otladisang told this publication that the busting agency has reported the matter to the police to establish who the culprits might have been.
“It is true that the matter has been reported to the police,” she said.
She said at this juncture she was unable to shed light on police investigations.
Former DCEC director Mathambo has confirmed to this publication that he was interviewed by police investigators. He said he wrote a police statement detailing what he knows and remembers during the meeting.
“It is true that I was called by the police and told the police investigators my side of the story regarding the audio leaks”.
He said he was very happy the way the police were conducting the interview as this showed the highest level of professionalism.
“I am not at liberty to share anything with the public what I told the police because that might somehow compromise police investigations and I want those behind the leaks to be locked behind bars,” he said.
Efforts to contact Magosi were futile.
Meanwhile early last month {March} DCEC issued a press release stating that is disturbed by leaked recordings of a high-profile government business meeting in which the DCEC executive and officers were part of.
“Due to the explicit nature of these recordings, we feel obliged to state our position regarding this disastrous incident” DCEC
The release states that it was unfortunate and regrettable that the deliberations of such a classified operational meeting, during the conduct of an official government business were secretly recorded in this fashion and leaked to the general public, and by extension, potentially to the whole world, at a time when the country is dealing with sensitive serious national issues, amongst others, in the Anti-money laundering, counter financing terrorism and proliferation financing space.
“As an agency, we certainly are appalled by this conduct, and so should every right-thinking patriot.
Adding that we consider it a privilege to have been chosen to serve this country and its people, and believe that as government officials we are trusted with the responsibility to conduct the affairs of government in particular, and of the nation in general, with diligence, credibility and integrity,” the release stated.
The release said the DCEC wishes to state that within all lawfully permissible limits, and necessary, reasonable and operational means, it will cooperate with any government agency to get the truth and have those responsible held to account, noting that neither official government business generally, nor matters related to investigations in particular, can be conducted in this carefree fashion where the end justifies the means.
“We would like to further, reassure the public that the DCEC remains resolute in its quest to fight corruption as per the dictates of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act,” stated the release.
