30 Nov 2022

Former permanent secretary to the president, Carter Morupisi was on Wednesday given a wholly suspended two year jail term and a cumulative fine of P130 000.

Morupisi, 63, who had been found guilty of two counts of corruption and one count of money laundering, was on count one sentenced to two years imprisonment wholly suspended for three years on condition that he does not commit the same offence.

On count two, Justice Chris Gabanagae of Gaborone High Court fined him P50 000 or five years imprisonment should he default, while on count three, he was fined P80 000 or eight years imprisonment, should he default.

Morupisi was further given 90 days to pay while and the Toyota Land Cruiser, which had been found to be proceeds of crime was forfeited to the state.

In passing the sentence, Justice Gabanagae said Morupisi had been convicted of a serious offence as reflected on the penalties attached to the crimes.

Justice Gabanagae said the first offence carried a fine not exceeding P5 000 or imprisonment period not exceeding three years or both, the second count carried a prison term not exceeding 10 years, or a fine not exceeding P500 000 or both, while the third charge attracted a fine not exceeding P20 million or imprisonment term not exceeding 20 years or both.

He added that the court in its sentence considered the nature of the offence, circumstances of the offender and the interest of the society.

“Punishment should fit the nature of the offence,” Justice Gabanagae said before a fully packed courtroom, and further added that court had taken into consideration mitigations by the convict and his lawyer, Mr Busang Manewe.

When previously mitigating for a lesser sentence, Morupisi pleaded with the court to consider his career service to the country and his community services initiatives, while his lawyer, Mr Manewe pleaded with the court to consider the convict’s age and sacrificial service to the nation.

He said government, court and the society naturally sympathised with elders, hence it would not be in the best interest of the society to send an aged person to prison.

Mr Morupisi was initially charged alongside his wife, Ms Pinny Morupisi and R7 Group, but the two were discharged and acquitted of the same offences by the court. ENDS