Police probe Baaitse’s fears that DIS out to kill him
Former President Ian Khama’s associate says he fears for his life
Botswana Police Service has launched investigations into allegations by businessman and former President Ian Khama associate Evangelist Shadrack Baaitse that he fears for his life.
Baaitse last week made a statement to the police that he fears for his life following a recent encounter with law enforcement officers in the Central District after the motor vehicle he was driving was allegedly linked to one of the suspects in the Kumakwane P5 million heist.
He was allegedly questioned about a certain ‘ Bojalwa’ who was reportedly seen using the same motor vehicle in Serowe and was involved in the Security Systems Kumakwane armed robbery.
Baaitse has also through his lawyers Oduetse Legal Practice written to Police Commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe asking for protection and for the matter regarding his motor vehicle to be investigated comprehensively.
He fears that there is a motive to either approach his vehicle with maximum fire force and later claim it was a case of mistaken identity or that there is a ploy to embarrass him by wrongful arrest.
A letter from Police Commissioner’s Officer signed by one G. R Sefhako written to Oduetse Legal Practice indicates that the police have noted the complaint of Baaitse and investigations have been commenced in respect of the allegations.
The police would however not commit to availing protection to Baaitse as requested as investigations might take some time.
“We have also noted your request that we revert to you within seven ( 7) days upon receipt of your letter. Such may not be possible since we do not know how much time may be required to conclude the investigation.
“We however assure you that we shall revert to you as soon as our investigation is completed,” reads the letter signed on behalf of Makgophe.
In a statement deposed to the police, Baaitse said he was approached by two Botswana Police officers in plain clothing on the evening of 4th November 2020 at Mokolojwane Ward in Serowe while driving from Mogorosi village, who called him in for questioning.
“According to Kago Molatlhegi, a Botswana Police Officer who was accompanied by another officer they were reliably informed that the vehicle I was driving being a Toyota Land cruiser ZX black in colour was being driven by a certain Bojalwa who is implicated or wanted for a Kumakwane armed heist. “I must confirm that I do not know any Bojalwa nor do I have any idea why my vehicle was linked to Bojalwa or any person who has been part of such an armed robbery or heist.
“The officers told me that a report came from Gaborone that indeed Bojalwa is in Serowe using the motor vehicle I am driving and therefore they need me to identify myself and tell them about Bojalwa’s whereabouts,” said Baaitse in a police statement.
He said he told the officers that he does not know such a person. According to Baaitse after indicating that he has not even lent his vehicle to any stranger the officers then made a phone call to their superior and told their superior, ‘ madam the vehicle we are actually looking for here is driven by Shadrack Baaitse and not Bojalwa’.
“The officers made a record of my details and left me stating if there is anything else they will get back to me. Given my current and previous experience with the law enforcement agents since 17th September 2018 after being questioned by Directorate of Intelligence and Security ( DIS) for over four ( 4) hours for unfounded allegations, and further information that the DIS is looking for me and intending to arrest me and the DIS claims that I have fled the country and sometimes claiming that a friend of mine has hidden me in his farm somewhere, for what I do not know and that the DIS will arrest me upon landing in Botswana, I then contacted my DIS sources in Gaborone and Palapye”, he revealed.
Baaitse who also owns Prevailing Securities, said given the aforementioned information and the background of his experience and even allegations levelled against him by some supposed DIS operatives or the organisation, some of which he has personally reported to Director General Peter Magosi, even though he decided not to act nor give him feedback, “I find my life under serious threat.” He said he fears for his life and that of his family.
In a letter written to Makgophe by Oduetse Legal Practice representing Baaitse, the law firm says the correspondence is necessitated by client’s previous experiences with law enforcement agencies especially the DIS.
“Moreover, client advises that he caught wind of information that the DIS was on his trail seeking to effect his arrest on claims that he has fled the country and that client is keeping certain of former President Khama’s properties and or assets, which is obviously false,” the law firm wrote.