Guma compromised in NPF row
Staff Writer | Friday April 13, 2018 18:00
Sources close to both Guma and the director general of Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Isaac Kgosi claimed that about two weeks ago, Guma visited the agency with a proposal to tender to supply fuel.
“Kgosi told him to follow the right procedure and this might have rubbed Guma the wrong way as he later claimed that the spy agency wants to assassinate him and his colleague, Selebi-Phikwe West MP Dithapelo Keorapetse,” the source said. Keorapetse and Guma are members of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is currently conducting enquiries into the National Petroleum Fund (NPF).
According to extensive media reports, Keorapetse has already dispersed an affidavit to the Botswana Police Service and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Kokorwe about the alleged threats on their lives by the DIS.
In his affidavit he claimed that on April 5, 2018 he received a call from Guma relating to their work in the PAC concerning and relating to the NPF.
He alleged that in the cause of their conversation Guma informed him that he had received a tip-off from an anonymous member of the DIS that there was a plan within the agency to either harm him and Guma following what was perceived as their hostile and intense attitude in the questioning and interrogation of the NPF.
“Keorapetse fell hook, line and sinker for Guma’s tricks. This is the same Guma who recently misinformed Parliament that Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) has some deals with NPF after the union dismissed his business bid to partner with them.”
The source also questioned why Guma was not afraid to visit the DIS headquarters.
“How does he become a target of the same organisation that he wanted to do business with and was turned down? Guma and Keorapetse must recuse themselves when Kgosi appears before the PAC because they are conflicted. I am afraid they might use their position in the PAC to settle scores with other people.”
Reached for comment, Kgosi refused to discuss the matter.
“I always tell the media that we do not discuss our issues in public,” Kgosi said.
For his part, Guma said this publication should write what it thinks is appropriate. Probed further he said: “Write whatever they tell you”.