14 Dec 2021

Estwhile permanent secretary to the president (PSP), Cater Morupisi and his wife Pinny, will on May 3rd next year know their fate when the High court will deliver judgment in the matter they are facing two charges of corruption and money laundering. The case, argued before Justice Mokwadi Gabanagae of Gaborone High Court, came to a conclusion Friday.

The Morupisi’s stand accused of receiving, then converting to their personal use, through their company R7 Group, a Toyota Land Cruiser pickup whilst they knew or had reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that the vehicle was derived or bought directly or indirectly through the proceeds of crime.

Making her final submissions, Ms Pricilla Israel of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the state had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence and should accordingly be convicted.

She explained that the purported contract for the purchase of the Land Cruiser between Manor Squad and the accused persons was nothing but a façade, saying it was done in haste to cover the tracks of the accused, which explained why it had so many mistakes.

What clearly made the transaction suspicious was how the vehicle was purchased with no interest on price, security, proof of credit worthiness of the accused person, flexible or long-term repayment period or any inflationary adjustments, she argued.

The state believed such an arrangement was too sweet and generous and only happened because Morupisi, as PSP had signed the CMB/BPOPF contract without legal authority, and the vehicle was simply a kickback, she said.

In fact, it was the prosecution’s contention that the signing of the contract between CMB and BPOPF by Morupisi was the beginning of a sequel of interwoven transactions that culminated in the reward of the accused person with a land cruiser.

However, attorney Busang Manewe for the Morupisis, argued the central argument of the state was whether the accused bought the vehicle legitimately, or it was a reward for signing the contract.

To that end, he argued, should determine he bought the vehicle legitimately, the accused should be discharged and acquitted.

His contention, though, was that the Morupisis bought the vehicle legally as proven through the purchase contract before the court.

Further, he argued, there was evidence the money used to purchase the vehicle was from the Morupisis personal savings.

 “There is no evidence that the money was from illegal activities,” he said.

Mr Manewe argued the state’s case against his client was based on personal vendetta, but not on evidence.  “One might not have liked Mr Morupisi during his tenure as PSP and the decisions he made, but that should not have an impact on this case,” he concluded. BOPA