06 Jun 2022

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions is pursuing the return of former President Lt. Gen Ian Khama from South Africa to face charges of possession of military weapons and attire, and will seek his formal extradition, unless he decides to come home voluntarily. 

Lt Gen. Khama has not appeared in court since the case against him and five others commenced on April 21, and yesterday, prosecutor Mr Thabiso Olatotse told Broadhurst Regional Magistrate Mr Masilo Mathaka that they were likely to start the extradition process before August 30. 

According to Southern African Legal Information Institute, pursuit of formal extradition of suspects from South Africa by any state can take many months, owing to the long executive and legal processes involved. Yesterday, when the matter came up for a second hearing, only former DISS Director Isaac Kgosi, suspended police commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe, and suspended Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Mr Victor Paledi showed up in court. 

A new addition was one Sehunelo Khunou. 

Khunou is charged with a single count of stealing by a person employed in the public service. Between them, the five are facing 40 counts relating to among others, failure to register firearms, registering firearms by false pretense and aiding or abetting unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Owing to the amendments to the charge sheet, Magistrate Mathaka gave both the defence and prosecution an opportunity to attend to issues of concern in the new charge sheet, and update the court of the status of the case on August 30. Plea for the other four accused persons, Kgosi, Makgophe, Paledi and Khunou has been reserved pending the finalisation of the amended charge sheet. 

The first accused person, Kgosi has been charged with failure to register a firearm, unlawful possession of a silencer, procuring the registration of a firearm by false pretenses, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

Other counts include aiding and abetting unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a passport belonging to another, possession of armoury vests resembling those of the Botswana Police Service and possession of battle bags and two tactical backpacks resembling those of the DIS, without lawful authority. 

The second accused person, Khama is facing counts of unlawful possession of a special firearm, ownership of an unregistered firearm, receiving stolen property and possession of battle vests and tactical backpacks closely resembling those of the DIS without lawful authority.

Makgophe and Paledi are facing three and two counts of aiding and abetting unlawful possession of firearms respectively. 

With regard to Khunou, it is the state’s position that around March 1, 2016, at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport cargo handling facility he stole a Jericho pistol and its accessories valued at USD1 017, which came into his possession by virtue of his employment as procurement manager. 

The first accused person, Kgosi is represented by Mr Thabiso Tafila and Unoda Mack, the second accused, Khama, is represented by Mr Tebogo Tladi, and the third accused person Makgophe is represented by Mr Kgosietsile Ngakaagae. 

Paledi is represented by Mr Aobakwe Monamo while Khunou is represented by Kgololesego Segabo. Ends