Ex-BHC boss waits for extradition verdict

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Thursday February 18, 2010 00:00

The Botswana government is seeking the extradition of Rabana, who fled to South Africa about 10 years ago, while facing corruption charges in connection with the awarding of tenders for the construction of BHC houses in Block 5 in Gaborone. He is said to have accepted bribes to award a tender to a construction company to build the Block 5 houses. It is alleged the said company did not qualify for the award. The company is reported to have taken Rabana and his family on all-expenses paid trips to Europe and America. The former BHC man is accused of intentionally excluding high ranking officers from the tender adjudication process.

Rabana fled the country in the middle of the trial, while the state was left with only two witnesses to give evidence.

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, which was spearheading the trial, traced him to Johannesburg where he is reported to be residing with his family. Rabana refused to come back to Botswana, and he is currently embroiled in a long running extradition case with Botswana government officials, on which judgment is expected on February 26th.

Former Gaborone Chief Magistrate, Leonard Sechele, presided over the case, while the current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Leatile Dambe, was prosecuting with Abel Modimo as the defence. Currently, Thato Dibeela of DPP is handling the matter. South Africa has extradited a number of fugitives from justice in Botswana. The same has been done by Botswana.