Africa-Press – Botswana. Confidential and somewhat highly classified files are alleged to have been stolen at the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) offices recently following a suspected break-in by unidentified assailants.
Information reaching the press which was corroborated by independent sources but denied by the organization suggests that intruders forced their way into the office of one of the agency’s senior investigators after tempering with a secured door. Taken from the office, it is alleged, were some files after a safe in the same office was broken into.
“I just got a call that they are breaking into German’s office looking for investigation files…he went to report at Borakanelo Police Station…” said one of the sources.
But the agency has since refuted claims that some assailants forced their way into and stole confidential and high-profile files from Andria German’s office.
The DCEC reiterated it had no knowledge of a break-in attempt to steal information from its headquarters.
“We are not aware of any recent break-in at the Head Office of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC). Currently we are not aware of any break-in at Mr. German’s office,” said the agency’s spokesperson Lentswe Motshoganetsi.
On reports that German was recently arrested by the DIS, Motshoganetsi said: “We are not aware of the detention of Mr German by the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS).”
He added that, “As for details regarding the alleged detention, kindly forward questions to the DIS.”
Claims that there was a forced entry into German’s office came nine days after Sunday Standard reported on its Facebook page that he was arrested by the Directorate of Intelligence and Services (DIS).
DIS spokesperson Edward Robert had not responded to Sunday Standard queries at the time of going to press. This publication sought to establish if the agency was aware that following German’s arrest his office was broken into.
Contacted for comment, Borakanelo Police Station Commander Superintendent Amos Solomon referred this publication to the Botswana Police Public Relations Unit.
Botswana Police Service public relations officer Near Bagali said there was no break-in case that they were investigating at DCEC. Asked if at any stage, German registered a case of break-in at the Borakanelo Police Station, Bagali’s terse reply was: “Ask him.”
Immediate comment from German was not available.
It is understood that German was arrested a day after his colleague, DCEC legal officer Tsholofelo Bareetsi was arrested by DIS at Block 7. At the time, his attorney Martin Dingake confirmed to this publication that Bareetsi was arrested at his office. Bareetsi has since approached the High Court challenging his detention. He was released from detention following a High Court order directing that he be released.
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