State backs down,consents to Kgosi bail
Mpho Mokwape | Monday November 15, 2021 06:20
The parties appeared yesterday before Regional Magistrate, Masilo Matlhaka where they reached a consent order.
Kgosi appeared before Court after the State applied for a review of his bail and its conditions at the High Court following Village Magistrate, Lindiwe Makgoro’s refusal to remand him in custody.
According to the consent order, Kgosi has been granted bail on the sum of P30, 000.00 and two of his sureties are to pay P20, 000.00 each.
“The accused will also not interfere with investigations, report once in a month and honour his Court appearances,” reads the order.
The State had wanted the former DIS director general put behind bars for 14 days or that his bail conditions entirely reviewed.
''That he be remanded in custody for 14 days and that he be brought to a different judicial officer at the Magistrate’s Court on November 11, 2021,” said State.
Moreover, the State had wanted Kgosi to honour all his court appearances, report to a police station once every two weeks, and not interfere with potential witnesses or obstruct the course of justice.
“Also his passport shall remain in the custody of the police and he shall not leave the country without the consent of the investigating officer, which consent should not be withheld unreasonably,” State had argued.
Meanwhile, Kgosi who is accused of undermining the national security of the country was slapped with six charges ranging from possession of ammunition without licence, possession of armoured military vests resembling those of the Botswana Police Service and those of Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
According to the charge sheet, Kgosi whose plea has been reserved due to the infancy of investigations is accused of undermining the security of Botswana which act is prejudicial to the interest of the country contrary to the National Security Act.
On count one, the ex-spy boss is accused of being in possession of three armoured vests closely resembling those of the Botswana Police Service without lawful authority while count two he is accused of being in possession of military uniform closely resembling that of the BDF.
Particulars of the two offences are that Kgosi was on or about October 24, 2021 was found in possession of the said items without lawful authority.
On count three and four, he is accused of being in possession of battle vests and tactical backpack closely resembling those of the DIS and being in possession of forged or irregular official documents purporting to be specimens of and a passport of Botswana without lawful authority.
The particulars of the offences are that on or about October 24, 2021 he was found in possession of two battle vests and two tactical backpacks while also being in possession of one passport in the name of Lerato Hilton purportedly issued by the government of Botswana and three Botswana passport specimen, two in the names of Ian Khama and one in the name of Alicia Keys issued by Vlatacom Ltd.
Further, on count five and six, Kgosi is accused of being in possession of a forged or irregular official document purporting to be a national identity card of Botswana and being of possession of ammunition without license.
According to particulars of the offence on possession of ammunition, he was found in possession of 15 rounds of ammunition, 45 centre fire cartridges (high velocity), 100 centre fire cartridges (38 special) without a licence.
Attorneys Unoda Mack and Thabiso Tafila represent Kgosi while Pulane Kgoadi and Sifelani Thapelo represent State.
He is due in court on December 14, 2021 for status hearing.