Ex senior DCEC officer threatens to sue gov’t
Mpho Mokwape | Monday June 1, 2026 06:00
According to a legal notice dated May 12, 2026, lawyers acting for Tshepo Skuuman Pilane from Monthe Marumo Attorneys say their client intends to take legal action against the government, the Permanent Secretary to the President, the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), the Commissioner of Police, the Director General of DCEC and other public officers.
The notice was addressed to the Commissioner of Police and was issued under Section 4 of the State Proceedings (Civil Actions by or against government or public Officers) Act.
Pilane, through his lawyers, claims he served the BDF as a communications engineer before joining DCEC in March 2011 as Chief Anti-Corruption Officer. The notice states that he later rose through the ranks and was appointed Senior Assistant Director in the Intelligence Division in August 2019.
The legal notice further states that Pilane served as Acting Director General of DCEC from June 2, 2022, to July 20, 2023, a period of 14 months, “without any disciplinary issues”. During his time as Acting Director General, the notice claims Pilane oversaw and completed several high-profile corruption investigations involving senior government officials and business figures.
Among those named in the notice are Permanent Secretary to the President Emmah Peloetletse, Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS) Peter Fana Magosi, CEDA Chief Executive Officer Thabo Thamane, former Minister of Lands, Kefentse Mzwinila, businessman Seboko, and construction company Unik Construction. The notice alleges that confidential investigation files were later leaked to Magosi and that the leakage resulted in direct death threats against Pilane.
According to the document, Pilane received a death threat on September 1, 2024. His lawyers say the threat was reported to the DCEC Director General, the Permanent Secretary to the President, the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Justice.
“No investigation was conducted. The leakage was never probed,” the notice states. Pilane’s lawyers further argue that their client should have been confirmed as substantive Director General of DCEC after serving in the acting position for 12 months. The notice claims this entitlement arose from “appropriate legislation” and “applicable regulatory standard documents”. “Our client was further entitled to be confirmed as a substantive Director General of the DCEC upon expiration of the 12-month period from the date of his assumption of office,” the lawyers wrote.
The notice states that Pilane was later served with a transfer letter dated May 14, 2025, moving him to the Ministry of Higher Education. According to the document, that transfer was later withdrawn.
It further claims that Pilane was subsequently transferred to the BDF as Deputy Director for Systems Analysis and Design, which the lawyers describe as “a clear demotion”.
The legal team alleges that when Pilane reported for duty at BDF, he discovered that the position did not exist. The notice states that he was then verbally moved to the Directorate of Communication and Information Systems without written communication. “In consideration of the gravity of the matter and these gross multiple violations, our client penned out a communication dated 10 September 2025,” the notice states.
The lawyers say Pilane raised concerns about victimisation, retaliation and conflict of interest involving senior officials he had previously investigated. The notice specifically claims that former Permanent Secretary to the President Emmah Peloetletse, whom the document identifies as a suspect in investigations conducted by Pilane, personally authored or approved the transfer decisions being challenged.
Pilane’s lawyers argue that the transfer and reassignment decisions were unlawful and violated constitutional rights, including rights to fair labour practices, administrative justice and equal protection under the law. The notice lists several causes of action, including unlawful transfer and demotion, victimisation, retaliation for carrying out official duties, failure to investigate death threats and conflict of interest.
The lawyers also accuse state authorities of failing to protect Pilane after the alleged threats against his life. As part of the proposed legal action, Pilane is seeking several court orders. These include a declaration that the transfer decisions made in June 2025 and subsequent BDF reassignments were unlawful and unfair, and amounted to victimisation and abuse of office.
The notice also seeks an order declaring that Pilane should be recognised as substantive Director General of DCEC after serving 12 months in the acting role. The lawyers further want the court to declare that Pilane should continue serving as Director General until any lawful cancellation or revocation of the appointment. In addition, the notice challenges the appointment of the current DCEC Director General, Bothale Makgekgenene, arguing that it is unlawful and should be set aside.
Pilane is also seeking reinstatement to his previous position as Senior Assistant Director in the DCEC Intelligence Division or appointment as Deputy Director General of Operations for DCEC. The legal notice demands full restoration of salary, benefits and seniority from the date of the alleged wrongful transfer.
The lawyers are also asking the court to issue an order directing DCEC and the Botswana Police Service to investigate the alleged leak of confidential information and the death threats reported in September 2024. Another request seeks immediate protection for Pilane pending completion of investigations. The notice gives the government 30 days to respond and take remedial action. It warns that failure to do so will result in a summons being issued “without further notice.”
At the time of publication, the government and the officials named in the notice had not publicly responded to the allegations, as they had been given 30 days' notice.