PSP calls DCEC investigator’s abrupt transfer mistake

Mpho Mokwape | Monday May 26, 2025 17:04

As a result, she highly apologised for it. In a newly issued letter seen by Mmegi and addressed to Pilane, Peloentletse said the mistake is highly regrettable as she withdrew the letter of May 15, 2025 through which she transferred Pilane from the DCEC to the Ministry of Higher Education.

“Reference is made to my letter Ref: P768 615 800 I (15) dated May 15, 2025 through which I transferred you from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime to the Ministry of Higher Education as Director, Department of Technical and Vocational Education Training with immediate effect.

“I hereby withdraw the transfer letter and re-instate the intention to transfer and allow you to make any representations. The mistake is highly regrettable,” she said in the letter.

The latest letter dated May 20, 2025 comes after Pilane’s immediate transfer by the PSP, allegedly without according him an opportunity to make any representations, raised eyebrows and questions from those who believe the top investigator is the right person to lead the craft busting agency.

Pilane, who once acted as director general of the DCEC, has been the head of intelligence up until his transfer on Thursday.

His move to the Education ministry left him in shock after receiving a letter requesting him to provide reasons within seven days why ‘he should not be transferred to the Ministry of Higher Education’.

However, before he could respond, Pilane received another letter the very next day, informing him that he had been transferred with immediate effect.

The former acting DCEC boss is said to have been handling some high profile corruption cases.

The letter written on May 15, 2025 by Permanent Secretary to the President to Pilane reads: “This serves to notify you about the intention to transfer you from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) to the Ministry of Higher Education as Director –Department of Technical and Vocational Education Training. The purpose of this notification letter is to afford you an opportunity to consider the transfer and make any representation that you may have regarding the transfer and make any presentation that you may have regarding the matter.”

Furthermore, Peloetletse said in the event she did not hear from Pilane within seven days of receipt of the letter, then it shall be assumed that he does not wish to make any presentations and a final decision will be made.

As if it was not enough, the following day on May 16, 2025, the PSP wrote another letter indicating that Pilane’s transfer was with immediate effect.

She said in her letter: “Please note that the transfer has no effect on your present remuneration and other existing terms and conditions of employment. May I take this opportunity to wish you success in your new work environment and urge you to continue performing responsibilities with the zeal, commitment, and dedication that you always shown.”

Before his abrupt transfer, Pilane had been investigating high-profile cases, a move that reportedly rubbed some senior officers the wrong way upon learning of his sudden redeployment.

In September 2024, Pilane made news as it emerged that the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Director-General, Peter Magosi, was accused of making death threats against him.

Magosi allegedly issued death threats against Pilane who was reported to be conducting a corruption probe against the head of intelligence agency.

In a letter seen by Mmegi, Pilane stated that he informed the Director-General of the DCEC, Botlhale Makgekgenene that he did not report the matter to the police “in order not to pre-empt any guidance that I may receive from your office on the matter”.

Pilane revealed that he had made the Commissioner of Police, Dinah Marathe, aware of Magosi’s conduct.

This was, through a letter dated September 6, 2024, addressed to Makgekgenene which was also copied to Marathe, the then-Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi and Peloetletse.

At the time of his accusations against Magosi, Pilane was reportedly investigating the spy master and other senior government officials from the former president Mokgweetsi Masisi’s regime.