24 Feb 2022

 Defence attorneys for former director of Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) Isaac Kgosi has queried progress made by the state in prosecuting their client.
Attorney Thabiso Tafila expressed the misgivings before Magistrate Mathaka Masilo of the Broadhurst Regional Magistrate Court on Tuesday.
He told the court that the defence team which comprise of himself and Mr Unoda Mac was not happy with progress of the case.
He said the cold feet approach towards the case by the prosecution was puzzling as the matter was rushed before the court.
 “I also had a conversation with the state counsel Mr Thapelo Sifelani who said he cannot attend the Tuesday court appearance as he was engaged elsewhere,” he said.
Kgosi had been charged with unlawful possession of armoured military vests, possession of ammunition without license, fake passport issued by the government of Botswana and two passport specimen, which was prejudicial to the interest of the country contrary to the national security Act.
 He also brought to the attention of the court that the prosecutor had during their conservation indicated that he needed to amend the charge sheet. “He needed minutes to amend a charge sheet, we do not think it is good enough to say give us two months we want to amend the charge sheet,” he added.
However, magistrate Mathaka cautioned the prosecution to be prepared to move the case forward when they appear for mention on April 21.
 Further, in a separate matter involving former DIS boss, magistrate said he would on April 24 give ruling on the request by the defence counsel to be availed with more information to prepare for their case.
 The request was in relation to a charge of obstructing officers and support staff contrary to the DIS Act.
The particulars of the offence was that on or about February 18, 2019 at Extension 5 in Gaborone, Kgosi obstructed an officer of the DIS in the due execution of operative duties.
 The defence had argued that they filed an application to be provided with more information, which the prosecution failed comply.Mr Mac who appeared alongside Mr Tafila said they wanted to force the state to comply.
 The court then instructed the defence to file written submissions on March 18 while the prosecution would file their response on March 22 and judgment would be delivered on April 21.   ENDS