Deputy Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Priscilla Israel, has been redeployed to the Attorney General’s Chambers just two years into her position. DCEC spokesperson Nlayidzi Gambule confirmed the move, though Israel’s successor has not yet been announced.
Her redeployment comes at a critical moment, mere hours after Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Nelson Ramaotwana revealed that he was reviewing the controversial case of Welhemina Maswabi, also known as Butterfly. The case, involving an alleged P100 billion money laundering scandal, has been under scrutiny, with questions over whether the State should proceed with prosecution.
Israel has played a key role in high-profile corruption cases, including the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) financial scandal that led to the conviction of former Permanent Secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi. Morupisi was sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement.
Meanwhile, President Duma Boko recently addressed Judges of the Court of Appeal, referring to the Butterfly case as “the country’s biggest blunder”—one that, he argued, has driven away potential investors.
Israel’s sudden redeployment has raised speculation about its timing and implications, as Botswana continues to grapple with corruption cases that have far-reaching political and economic consequences.
