Manewe recuses himself from NPF case
Mpho Mokwape | Monday August 17, 2020 17:23
Manewe was engaged by the State for the case and his first assignment was a review application brought against the latter by Kebonang brothers, High Court Judge Zein and former minister Sadique which was to be heard earlier today before the Gaborone High Court.
“I still insist that I am not conflicted in this case, I have never consulted with their clients or shared confidential information with them. The main issue here is the review application and it has nothing to do with the case itself,” Manewe said.
Earlier, attorney for the Kebonang brothers, Unoda Mack had told court that Manewe was conflicted as he had represented Kgori Capital before who were the co-accused in the NPF matter.
Mack explained to the court that there was no way Manewe could say he was not conflicted when he knew so much about the case and that it was not even about consulting the brothers or sharing information.
Meanwhile, the application brought by the brothers details that they want the decision of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to initiate and continue with criminal proceedings against them reviewed and set aside.
The brothers, who are both accused of dipping their hands in the NPF’s P250 million, argue the decision to prosecute them without any valid evidence was subject to review.
They stated the conduct of both the DPP and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime was a clear violation of their rights, malicious and unlawful abuse of power especially the constant systematic leaking of investigations.
“The leaking of evidence of investigations was also violation of the oath of the offices they occupied,” the brothers said.
Mack, who is seeking a withdrawal and discontinuance of the charges against his clients, argues the charges are baseless especially that the brothers are accused of being engaged in transactions involving property by transfer of various sums of money from accounts.
The matter was before a panel of three judges, Chris Gabanagae, Abednigo Tafa and Matlhogonolo Phuthego. The case will be back in court on September 17, 2020.