The opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) have accused Masisi of protecting Permanent Secretary to the President Carter Morupisi and failing in his duties to suspend the latter when faced with criminal investigations.
It has previously been reported that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has been investigating Morupisi for his alleged involvement in corrupt practices of looting of public funds at Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF), where he served as chairman of the board of trustees. He is alleged to have benefitted from funds obtained fraudulently from BPOPF by the controversial Capital Management Botswana (CMB), currently under liquidation, who were asset managers for the Botswana Opportunities Partnership. He has denied the charges. “This is a very serious and disheartening matter involving funds belonging to pensioners, some of whom are poor Batswana who hope for cushioned life beyond retirement from after being subjected to slave wages during their public service,” the UDC wrote.
The UDC Morupisi abused office by meddling in the affairs of DCEC by transferring officers who were investigating him. The opposition coalition said it is regrettable that for Botswana’s democracy and institutions junior employees are made to investigate their superior who is responsible for their employment, promotion, transfers and rewards. There cannot be impendence and efficacy in these investigations when officers are subjected to an environment littered with fear of the power of the permanent secretary to the president, the UDC argues. Citing section 35 of the Public Service Act, the UDC submit that when officers are under criminal investigation they are suspended from work. “This has not been the case with Morupisi clearly indicating that he is above the law. In being investigated for corrupt practices by DCEC, the Permanent Secretary to the President swiftly moved to transfer employees who are dealing with his matter as a an act of collapsing his case. This marks an act of intimidation, harassment and nepotism by those in authority,” reads part of the letter.
Although UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa, denied on Wednesday that they have petitioned the Ombudsman regarding Morupisi’s conduct, The Patriot on Sunday, has it on good authority that the alliance has written to the public protector, Augustine Makgonatsotlhe, asking him to investigate Morupisi for abuse of office and unethical conduct.
They said Morupisi acted unethically, unprofessionally in being involved in corrupt scandals of looting of public servants pensions at BPOPF, which dent the credibility of hisn office which should be held in high reverence.