Stories have been circulating in private newspapers and social media platforms stating that the DCEC has returned all assets seized from Mr Bakang Seretse and Mr Kenneth Kerekang; the DCEC would like to set the record straight and assure the public that all the assets seized from the above named suspects are still in the custody of the DCEC.

The fact of the matter is that on the 23rd August 2018, the aforementioned suspects through their attorney were granted an order which among other things instructed the DCEC to release the seized property to the suspects. The DCEC, on the 24th of August 2018, through the Attorney General, filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, appealing the said order of the 23rd August 2018 and applied for a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal. A Rule Nisi, staying the order to return the seized assets to the suspects, was consequently granted in favour of the DCEC, returnable on the 14th September 2018. As a result, there are no seized assets returned to the above suspects.

The DCEC further take this opportunity to assure the public that investigations into this case are ongoing and that no stone will be left unturned to bring all concerned to book. The DCEC thus plead with the Public to be patient as it goes through this complex and slow process of investigation.

Furthermore, the DCEC thanks all, Batswana and everyone, who continue to report corruption and economic crime in large numbers and encourage the nation join-in in the fight against corruption by reporting corrupt acts to the DCEC.

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime - DCEC, Botswana