Possible charges DIS prefer for Khama
Mpho Mokwape | Monday November 29, 2021 06:00
According to DIS in their court papers, the search and seizure that has been carried out at the former’s various plots were related to various violations. Though no charges have been brought against him yet since the search and seizure unlike his counterpart, former DIS director-general, Isaac Kgosi, should he be charged when investigations are done, these are some of the offences he might possibly face.
Khama has been accused by the DIS of threatening national security of the country especially with the alleged weapons that he has or has been alleged to be hiding in some of his properties. With regards to that, the offence the DIS alleges he has committed by having those weapons is threatening the security of Botswana by being, without lawful authority, in possession of arms and ammunition of war contrary to the provisions of Arms and Ammunition Act. Concealment of treason, the offence emitted from the former spy unit director who upon his arrest in 2019 at the airport uttered that he would ‘topple this government’. According to the DIS, this was reason enough to believe that either Khama or Kgosi had the potential to topple the government.
Treason simply means the offence of betraying one’s own country by attempting to overthrow the government and in other countries if found guilty it could mean long-term jail or even death sentence in some instances. Furthermore, the search and seizure against Khama is that he is accused of the offence of stealing by persons employed in the public service.
The DIS alleges that most of the firearms that Khama owns or have were obtained through dubious means while he is also accused of obtaining an arms and ammunition licence by false pretence. Moreover, there is an offence of receiving arms knowing or having reason to believe same to have been stolen or unlawfully taken or obtained and also being in possession of firearms and ammunition. While under the Arms and Ammunitions Act he is alleged to have failed to register and mark firearms and ammunition imported into Botswana, failure to have a firearm registered in accordance with the law, possession of arms of war and possession of any part or component of a firearm without a license or permit.
Ongoing investigations against Khama, the DIS said, have revealed that it was during the execution of the warrant that it was discovered that one of his official residence also known as State House 4 was erroneously left out of the search warrant and consequently a search of the said property could not be conducted. “Subsequent developments in the investigation has fortified the reasonable belief that on the said property there are concealed firearms and other weapons as well as arms and ammunitions of war and accessories thereto. Investigations have further revealed that several firearms were prior to his departure sneaked into the armoury located at the State House 4 in order to compromise the current investigation,” said the DIS.
Though DIS was recently denied the search by Justice Ranier Busang of Lobatse High Court, they believe the search of the property may reveal firearms and other weapons the unit is looking for.
Meanwhile, while Khama and Kgosi have been raided, Kgosi is so far the only one slapped with charges. Kgosi is accused of undermining the national security of Botswana which act is prejudicial to the interest of the country contrary to the National Security Act and have been slapped with six charges including offences such as being found in possession of ammunitions.