DIS Wants Access To Khama's Safe
Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday December 7, 2021 06:00
The DIS, who wants to be given access to Khama’s property through a search warrant told the Court of Appeal on Friday that they believe weapons of war have been hidden in the safe.
They approached the CoA seeking leave to appeal on an urgent basis the Lobatse High Court judge, Ranier Busang’s ruling sometime back that denied them a search warrant at the State House 4.
According to the spy unit, they believe the former president smuggled the weapons from the DIS armoury into the safe in his house making it difficult for them to collect evidence for investigations.
Prosecutor Sifelani Thapelo said when they searched the armoury they found nothing incriminating inside despite knowing that the weapons were initially there.
“We want to search the house as we believe the weapons were removed from the armoury to the safe inside Khama’s house. That is also why were want access to the CCTV footage to get a clue as to how the weapons were moved.
Thapelo explained that if they are not granted the search warrant urgently then the armoury and the State House 4 will remain sealed therefore halting the investigations.
Thapelo said as of now both properties are sealed to make sure that no evidence is contaminated but they cannot access the house without a search warrant.
“It was a mistake to omit the house from the first search warrant that was obtained and we want to rectify that mistake. The search warrant will help in advancing our investigations that are in their critical stage. Any delay might sabotage the investigations,” he said.
Khama’s lawyers are opposing the move saying the unit wants a second bite at the cherry.
Senior attorney Unoda Mack told the court that the DIS was operating on dishonesty as they have failed to disclose crucial information to the court.
“DIS is being dishonest. The same items listed in the first search warrant are the same items listed in the warrant they are seeking now. They have not disclosed what items were found during the first search and which ones have been found for better understanding what exactly are they looking for,” he said.
Mack explained that it was the same reason that judge Busang denied them the search warrant as they had failed to disclose that information.
He said there was also no need as to why they wanted the search warrant on urgency as they had already sealed the house and chased everyone out.
“The house is sealed already I don’t understand why they are on the rush now especially that they were given the first search. I still do not understand why the omission of the house, being Khama’s primary house and should have been the first on the list. There is no mistake here just a second thought,” he said.
Moreover, Mack said it was surprising that the spy unit says the weapons in the armoury were smuggled out when the same property belonged to them and was guarded by their agents 24/7.
He questioned how the armoury could have been opened then weapons smuggled out when they are the ones guarding it since it belongs entirely to them.
“They want CCTV footage to see what they were guarding. This is surprising that they believe the weapons were moved when the armoury belongs to them, they have access to it and its ones who guard it all day all night without fail,” he said.
Mack said the move was only meant to frustrate, harass and inconvenience Khama and that the courts should not be used as bait.
Judge Monametsi Gaongalelwe is yet to issue the ruling on the matter.