By REGINALD KANYANE
5 December 2024- A corruption case against Botswana policeman, Mompoloki Okocha Boitshoko (42), has been postponed to 7 February 2025, by the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court today for further investigations.
Boitshoko was arrested for alleged corruption by the members of the Mahikeng-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mahikeng on 25 November 2024. It was reported that, the officials from the SARS’ Syndicated Tax and Customs Crime Division, received a tip-off on 15 November 2024, that a truck will be entering the Skilpadshek Border Post from Namibia with illicit cigarettes.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the truck arrived at the border post, and the driver indicated to the officials that he had no cargo to declare. Gunya said upon inspection, the officials allegedly found 288 master cases containing Remington Gold Blue cigarettes packed inside a trailer.
“The cigarettes with an estimated value of over R1 million were found to be illicit. Consequently, the driver was apprehended for contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. The truck, cigarettes, and trailers were seized.
“On 20 November 2024, a SARS official was reportedly contacted by an unknown man, who offered to pay R100 000 for the release of the truck. An entrapment was set, which resulted in the arrest of a Botswana national after he had paid R104 400, 00 to the SARS official,” he said.
Gunya further said the accused appeared in court and was granted R20 000 bail.
Meanwhile, acting North West Hawks Head, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, has welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused. Munzhedzi commended collaboration between DPCI and SARS in ensuring that the accused faces full might of the law.
The Guardian 