DCEC impounds eight cars in P400m war
Innocent Selatlhwa | Friday April 6, 2018 15:06
They want the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) to release the confiscated vehicles. The DCEC on March 18 and 19, 2018 impounded eight vehicles belonging to the quartet on suspicion that they were bought from crime proceeds.
Okaile and CMB are engaged in an acrimonious legal battle with NBFIRA over P400 million in assets drawn from the BPOPF.
Representing the four, attorney Gabriel Kanjabanga argued that the vehicles ought to be returned as they were seized illegally.
“They failed to tell us why they seized the assets. All they said was that they were investigating them. They should clearly state the offence the applicants are being investigated for,” he said.
Kanjabanga said there were no facts or evidence suggesting that indeed the vehicles were linked to any crime. He accused the DCEC of abusing their powers and going beyond their mandate.
He questioned why only the cars when there were many other assets. Kanjabanga submitted that businesses and families would be affected as the family used the cars. He also argued that the seized trucks belonging to Warrentebo Investments had contracts with other companies to deliver their goods and the company would suffer.
Representing DCEC, State Counsel, Matlhogonolo Phuthego called on the court to dismiss the application saying that the applicants failed to demonstrate the urgency of the matter as they failed to show the harm they would suffer if not granted their wish.
“They speak of contracts with companies, but they failed to attach proof. They attached a contract that expired last year. Also, CMB is under statutory management. They failed to show that they rightfully attained the power of attorney for it and Warrentebo as there is no resolution from its Board,” he submitted.
Phuthego said they seized the vehicles because they suspected they were bought through proceeds of crime. He said it was important that they impounded the cars so that they remained in good condition as investigations could drag for years.