Morupisi's sentencing in two weeks' time
The high profile case of former Permanent Secretary to the President Carter Morupisi is yet to come to an end as his sentencing will be on the 30th of November this year.
In his mitigation Wednesday this week, Morupisi gave court a summation of his journey throughout his academic pursuits and lifelong career as a public servant.
He told court how he has worked hard to be a positive role model to the less-privileged and noted how losing his mother soon after the news of his arrest broke out in the public domain, devastated him.
Morupisi explained that throughout the years he has been able to source donations for disabled student community and various schools and lamented that his image as a former civil servant has now been tarnished.
State Counsel Priscilla Israel argued that Morupisi’s mitigation should not be taken into account as he has failed to bring any evidence of what he is talking about. She said that Morupisi ought to have brought proof of where he sourced the funds he claims to have given to charity given the nature and sensitivity of the case.
In closing argument, defense attorney Busang Manewe pleaded with court to be mindful that Morupisi is a first offender.
He said Morupisi has led a long, productive and influential public service life which was dedicated to serving the nation and its people and asked the court to consider this when handing down their judgement.
Furthermore, he said his client is old as he is approaching the average life expectancy age of Batswana men, therefore it is not in the interest of the courts which serve the people of Botswana to send a pensioner to a lifelong prison term.
Morupisi has been charged with three counts - money laundering, abuse of office and accepting a bribe, while he was a public officer.