Hands off my brother - Adv Kebonang
That my brother went to Kgosi’s house on Sunday and Tafila’s office on Monday is all hogwash My brother’s whereabouts could be easily verified, I remain Kgosi’s friend My brother is not one to be bought or intimidated by lies
Advocate Sadique Kebonang has come to the rescue of his twin brother Justice Dr. Zein Kebonang with guns blazing over claims that action should be taken against the judge. This comes after Zein was alleged to have visited former Directorate of Intelligence and Security ( DIS) boss Isaac Kgosi’s house and his attorney’s lawfirm.
Kgosi has since last week been on the spotlight following the raid at his house, his arrest, detention and finally being slapped with six charges.
In count one, Kgosi is accused of being in possession of three armoured vests closely resembling those of the Botswana Police Service without lawful authority while in count two he is accused of being in possession of military uniform closely resembling that of the Botswana Defence Force ( BDF). In count three and four, he is accused of being in possession of battle vests and tactical backpack closely resembling those of the DIS and being in possession of forged or irregular official documents purporting to be specimens of and a passport of Botswana without lawful authority.
On count five and six, Kgosi is accused of being in possession of a forged or irregular official document purporting to be a national identity card of Botswana and being in possession of ammunition without license.
Following news that Justice Dr. Zein Kebonang of Gaborone High Court, who recently attracted controversy after he ruled in favour of
Welheminah Maswabi codenamed ‘ Butterfly’, visited Kgosi’s home and Tafila and Company who are Kgosi’s attorneys of records, Advocate Sadique Kebonang warned those who uttered the remarks to steer clear of his brother. He said this is not good for the reputation of his brother and that of the judiciary. Advocate Kebonang said that his brother respects his oath of office. He accused the DIS of being behind the spreading of the ‘ false narrative’. “The utterances are nonsensical. I am a practising advocate who has been briefed by a number of lawyers including Tafila & Co. In some instances, I have been briefed by lawyers representing the state- and state- owned enterprises. “I have faithfully provided legal advice consistent with the law. That my brother went to Kgosi’s house on Sunday and Tafila’s office on Monday is all hogwash.
The narration was deliberate and is meant to undermine not only my brother but the judiciary.
“It is obvious who the source of the story is. I spoke to the individuals when I went to Kgosi’s house and equally greeted them. They had notebooks with them and recorded my presence.
“They knew exactly who I was. It is a pity that the same people peddling these lies are the same people we have entrusted to keep us safe,” fumed Advocate Kebonang, in an interview with Botswana Guardian on Wednesday evening.
Advocate Kebonang said the distortion was deliberate. He said it was targeted at his brother because of the ‘ Butterfly’ case. “My brother is not one to be bought or intimidated by lies,” emphasised Advocate Kebonang. He argued that Justice Dr. Zein Kebonang will always be faithful to his oath of office. “I hold the same view about the judiciary,” he added. The former minister and MP for Lobatse said the thing about life is that, “we are all subjected to the same rule. “Today it’s me, tomorrow it’s you. Someday, the same fate and destiny will await those who continue with the lies and hate to destroy this country. “I suspect that poor Peter Fana Magosi is always being fed wrong information by those seeking to achieve their own agenda. My brother’s whereabouts could be easily verified.
“I remain Kgosi’s friend. My relationship with him was not opportunistic. I don’t abandon people; I remain loyal irrespective of life’s challenges. Yes, I have been betrayed by family and friends. Such is life,” Advocate Kebonang told this publication.
Isaac Kgosi was released on bail on Wednesday after Village Magistrate Lindiwe Makgoro rejected the prosecution application to have the former spy chief remanded longer.
He has been granted bail on grounds that he should not interfere with investigations and should bind himself together with two sureties with P5000 on their own cognisance.
The magistrate stated that the state failed to produce any evidence in relation to its claim that Kgosi is a flight risk and might interfere with investigations.