DCEC probes Air Botswana
National Airliner, Air Botswana is under investigations by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) for possible corruption in the procurement of its recently procured aircraft.
The procurement of the three (3) aircraft has been marred by controversy over allegations of bypassing processes and ignoring compliance issues. The aircraft are “Kalahari” Embraer 175- the aircraft launched about seven (7) months ago to enter the schedule but remains grounded and two (2) Embraer 145’ which were stuck in Namibia. This week, the DCEC Director General, Botlhale
Makgekgenene revealed that they are investigating Air Botswana. She stated that at this point she cannot reveal the status of the investigations but said they are still ongoing.
“Investigations of corruption are complex. I don’t have the exact dates I could say the investigations will be completed. We have established teams that will deal with investigations in a timely manner,” said Makgekgenene when probed by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week on the investigation regarding procurement of the aircraft by Air Botswana.
According to the DG, they receive reports from all walks and avenues, including media reports. Air Botswana is leasing one Embraer 145 from Westair/Fly Namibia, whilst WestAir/FlyNambia is doing maintenance on Air Botswana’s two Embraer 145. There are concerns that there will be nothing that will motivate Westair/Fly Namibia to finish work on Air Botswana’s aircraft when it is benefiting from the lease arrangement.
Air Botswana has been accused of having known at least 1 year in advance that they are re-fleeting, but there was no change management done to prepare the organisation for a seamless transition. Air Botswana maintained that the aircraft is not grounded but rather awaits approval of manuals by the CAAB.
Now, according to the Airliner, maintenance for both aircraft is complete, they are currently undergoing the registration process to enable them to operate. The controversy on the procurement of the aircraft was sparked by the arrest of three (3) senior officers of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), who claimed that they were investigating their boss Peter Magosi and his possible involvement in the aircraft procurement. The officers who were arrested, detained and searched would be later put on suspension.
The Officers - Director of Legal affairs, Pulane Kgoadi and Principal Intelligence Officer, Desmond Setlhabi - have made startling allegations against their boss, whom they said they were investigating at the behest of former President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Following their arrest, the officers took government to court, arguing that, “The arrests, detentions, searches and seizures were further unlawful because same were actuated by unlawful and improper motives on the part of the DIS.”