Kebonang demands retraction from Hubona
Oarabile Mosikare | Monday July 28, 2025 10:35
Kebonang stated this in a letter served to Hubona dated July 16, 2025.
It was about the Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) investigator's letter dated April 10, 2025, addressed to the Minister for State Presidency, titled 'Unfair treatment and public calls for my prosecution'.
Justice Kebonang took issue with the following statement about him: '... a week or so before Kebonang J delivered the above-stated judgment, he did visit the DCEC office and met with some DCEC top brass, some of whom were part of a team dealing with Ass No. 750/2019. The meeting ... was mainly to discuss the investigation I was leading concerning the 'Butterfly' case ... and the affidavit I deposed requesting Kebonang J to recuse himself...'
Justice Kebonang contended that the aforesaid statement about him was completely false and malicious. 'At no point did I meet with the Director General of DCEC, Tymon Katlholo, or with any of the DCEC top officials as you allege to discuss the 'Butterfly' case,' Judge Kebonang explained.
He asserted that the only visit he made to the DCEC office was an unscheduled one to see Priscilla Israel, the former Deputy Director of the DCEC, over allegations that she was actively coordinating with several media houses to write unfavourable articles about him and his family members. Israel was not available to see him, and through the secretary of the Director General's Office, he was asked to submit his complaint in writing, which he did.
He said before the complaint could be addressed, the DCEC leaked it to the newspapers, and it became headline news in one of the newspapers.
'I reiterate that I have never held any meeting, formal or informal, over which either you or the 'Butterfly' case were discussed either prior to, or after delivering any judgment in the matter. The falsehoods you peddle are not only defamatory against me but also unfairly so against Rre Tymon Katlholo and the entire DCEC top brass. Your statement is gravely defamatory,' said Kebonang.
The statement suggested that the Judge acted dishonestly and unethically, that he engaged in clandestine meetings with parties before him, and that he compromised his oath of office as a Judge of the High Court of Botswana. 'Such allegations are malicious and calculated, or at very least reckless, in a way that strikes at the very core of my integrity and impartiality,' he said.
He also said Hubona's letter caused him considerable distress and reputational harm. It has the potential to undermine public confidence in the Judiciary and to damage the esteem in which Justice Kebonang is held, both personally and professionally.
In the circumstances, he demanded that Hubona issue a full and unequivocal retraction of his false allegations within five days of receipt of his letter, which was served on him on July 16, 2025. He also demanded that Hubona issue a written public apology in terms to be agreed with him and circulate both the retraction and apology to every recipient of his original letter, including the Minister for State President, and to any other party to whom he distributes his defamatory statement. Should Hubona fail to comply with his demands within the stipulated time, the Judge will have no choice but to take legal action against him for defamation.
Given the grave and false allegations made against him and other people, Justice Kebonang copied the Ministry for State Presidency, the Director General of the DCEC, the Permanent Secretary to the President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and former DCEC Director General Katlholo.
Speaking to Hubona, DCEC senior investigator, about Kebonang's demand letter he told Mmegi in a telephone interview: ' I have not been officially served with any demand letter. I only got a Whatsapp version of it which has been sent to me. I am still awaiting to be properly served.'
Hubona explained that he has not published anything as to the best of his knowledge, 'I have only written a letter to the State President Minister, Moeti Mohwasa and I am still awaiting his response.'
He further indicated that he is yet to meet with his attorneys whom he said will respond appropriately after being officially served and determine the next course of action.