Media Statement with reference to media reports, e.g. "Kalafatis lawyers want Khama" etc.

source: Republic of Botswana (11/7/09) TAUTONA TIMES no 18 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline

D8) 25/6/09: Media Statement with reference to media reports, e.g. "Kalafatis lawyers want Khama" etc.

With reference to various media reports, this Office can confirm that the Permanent Secretary to the President has received a letter from Boko & Co. Attorneys, purportedly acting on behalf of the family of the late John Kalafatis, who are said to seek H.E. the President’s assistance in matters related to certain ‘causes of action’ they intend to pursue.

While the content of the letter is under consideration, we wish to express our concern at the fact that a letter that is apparently intended for His Excellency’s attention should have found its way into the local media almost simultaneously with its receipt by his office.

The same letter makes the claim (since reproduced in the Mmegi newspaper of 19/6/09) that His Excellency the President “recently extended similar assistance to one Louis Nchindo in a criminal case against the DPP.” This office would like to inform the public that this statement is false and without substance.

With respect to other matters contained in the same letter, this Office wishes to once more reiterate its position that it would be improper for this Office to interfere in any way with the ongoing investigation into the Kalafatis case. We are therefore not prepared to comment on various allegations that are being circulated in the media surrounding the case, including the content of the above letter, at this time, pending the investigation’s outcome