26 Jan 2021

A case in which former Permanent Secretary to the President Carter Morupisi, his wife Pinny and R7 Group (PTY) Limited are facing three counts of corruption and money laundering is set to continue on April 12, 13 and 14, with the defence team calling three witnesses.

Appearing before Gaborone High Court Judge Mokwadi Gabanagae on Tuesday, the defence attorney, Mr Busang Manewe said two of the defence team witnesses would give unsworn evidence while the third witness would give sworn testimony.

Morupisi is facing two counts of corruption and is jointly charged with R7 Group (PTY) Limited and wife on a count of money laundering.

Particulars of the offence are that the first accused person, whilst employed as Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) director, and holding the position of board chairperson for Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF), allegedly on or about November 11, 2014 at or near Gaborone, without the final resolution of the board, while the business of the board was on suspension by court order and in abuse of his public office, corruptly signed a contract with Capital Management Botswana as private equity managers and in the process obtained valuable consideration for himself and his wife’s company R7 Group (PTY) Limited.

On the second account, Morupisi is accused to have on or about May 15, 2017 at or near Gaborone, acting together and in consent with wife in her capacity as R7 Group (PTY) Limited director, received valuable consideration in the form of a gold Toyota Land Cruiser pickup valued at R630 988, 99.

On the count of money laundering, Morupisi and his wife, together with R7 Group (PTY) Limited are alleged to have on or about May 15, 2017 in Gaborone received and converted to their personal use, a Toyota Land Cruiser pickup bought from South Africa, whilst they knew or had reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that the said vehicle registered B587 BEW was derived or bought, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from the commission of the offence. ENDS