Gaolathe rallies behind Makgophe, Katlholo
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday July 19, 2022 06:00
As such, a prosecutor is required to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the person committed the crime if that person is to be convicted. To do so, proof must be shown for every single element of a crime.
However, president of the Alliance for Progressives (AP), Ndaba Gaolathe jumped the gun at the party’s elective congress over the weekend when he vouched for the innocence of the suspended Botswana Police Service (BPS) commissioner, Keabetswe Makgophe, and the Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Tymon Katlholo.
Makgophe is charged on three counts of “aiding and abetting unlawful possession of a firearm” while Katlholo is suspended on allegations that in the course of his official duties, he has misconducted himself and exhibited behaviour that is incompatible with the conduct of a public officer.
During the congress, Gaolathe decried that corruption in Botswana is systematic and is growing at an alarming rate.
Although he did not say “all animals are equal but some are more equal than others” as a quote from George Orwell’s allegorical novel, Animal Farm reads, Gaolathe used words to that effect and is of the view that the status quo obtains in Botswana.
Gaolathe stated that charges against Makgophe and Katlholo are a witch hunt, as well before their alleged transgressions, their supposed guilt is ventilated at appropriate forums.
It is a well-known fact that the standing of the State is in disrepute after it (State) lost numerous so-called high-profile cases.
The loss of the so-called high profile cases has fuelled speculation that the cases were politically motivated, amongst some reasons from some sections of the public.
Therefore, it is not surprising for Gaolathe to jump onto the bandwagon obviously for political considerations before the innocence or guilt of Makgophe and Katlholo are ventilated at appropriate forums.
When addressing delegates during the congress, Gaolathe said the root cause of corruption in Botswana is that voters have entrusted dishonest people with leadership positions.
Gaolathe said innocent people are going to jail while dishonest ones are enjoying their loot outside prison since the long arm of the law doesn’t stretch far enough to reach them as they are systematically protected by the powers that be.
He vouched that Makgophe is a man of honour and he wondered how the State “can prosecute its commissioner of police”, who has “nothing but the interest of the nation at heart”.
“Some corrupt people in Botswana are not being prosecuted while the innocent are going to jail. This situation is caused by the fact that we have allowed ourselves to be led by untruthful people. Only the truth will set us free from this situation,” Gaolathe said.
One may ask oneself if the commissioner of BPS is not governed by the same Constitution which says that “every person is equal before the law and is entitled to the equal protection of the law without discrimination”.
Gaolathe also vouched for the innocence of Katlholo who he described as a God-fearing person.
“Our country is going down the drain because we have entrusted some dishonest people with leadership responsibilities. Responsible and ethical people in the public service are shunted aside. I urge opposition parties to stop their unnecessary fights and choose honest people as their leaders in order to correct the status quo,” Gaolathe said.
The AP leader made a clarion call to the nation not to keep quiet when a few people loot national coffers if they want to realise a new Botswana where issues of corruption will be seriously dealt with, without fear or favour.