30 Aug 2017

Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) wishes to respond to an article published by Mmegi Newspaper of Friday August 25, 2017, which states that ‘DCEC says Phiri’s Money is clean,’ a headline and article which is false and misleading.

On the 17th August 2017, Khato Civils Botswana (Pty) Ltd made an urgent application on a Notice of Motion for a variation order in terms of section 35(4) of the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act, 28 of 2014 (PICA) to Lobatse High Court.

In their application Khato Civil Botswana (Pty) Ltd also applied for the release of all the restrained funds in all the applicants’ accounts.

The DPP was served with the notice of motion and the DCEC was engaged to respond.

In the affidavit disposed off from the DCEC, there is no statement stating that Khato Civils Botswana (Pty) Ltd’s funds in question are clean.

The facts of the matter are that the investigations on Khato Civil Botswana (Pty) Ltd by the DCEC is to establish the source or origin of funds from Khato Civil Botswana (Pty) Ltd hence the DCEC’s investigations extending into South Africa through the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA). Investigations on this matter are still ongoing.

We wish to assure the public that we shall continue to carry out our duties and mandate with the highest professionalism and integrity and we wish to encourage the public not to be misled by such misleading allegations.

For more information, please contact the Public Relations Office on 3984405. DCEC