DROWNING BIG FISH Former PSP Carter Morupisi Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison by Court of Appeal
In a dramatic turn of events, former Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Carter Morupisi, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by the Court of Appeal (CoA) on Friday, December 6, 2024. This decision comes after Morupisi’s appeal against an earlier High Court judgment, which many considered lenient.
Morupisi’s legal troubles began with his conviction by the Gaborone High Court in November 2022 on three counts of corruption and money laundering. The charges stemmed from the infamous Toyota Land Cruiser and the P500 million contract between the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) and Capital Management Botswana (CMB), an asset management company.
During the initial sentencing, Morupisi was given suspended jail terms and ordered to pay P130,000 in fines.
However, in a bid to clear his name and possibly stand for office in the 2024 General Election, Morupisi appealed the High Court’s judgment. He argued that he was a first-time offender, advanced in years, and had already forfeited the vehicle in question to the State.
Unfortunately for Morupisi, the CoA panel of three judges – Justice Tebogo Tau, Singh Walia, and Baaitse Nkabinde – found his appeal unconvincing and imposed a stiffer penalty.
The CoA judges stated that the offences committed by Morupisi were serious and that the initial sentence was disproportionately lenient given the enormity of the crime.
They emphasized that there were no redeeming features in the case and that an immediate custodial sentence was warranted.
Consequently, the CoA set aside the High Court’s orders and sentenced Morupisi to 18 months’ imprisonment for count one, five years for count two, and seven years for count three, to be served concurrently.
This raises the question: why did Morupisi decide to appeal the High Court’s judgment, which many viewed as lenient? The initial sentence allowed him to avoid prison time, provided he paid the fines and did not commit similar offences. By appealing, Morupisi not only risked but ultimately received a harsher sentence. Some speculate that his desire to clear his name and re-enter the political arena may have clouded his judgment.
The CoA’s decision underscores the seriousness of corruption and money laundering offences and serves as a stern warning to public officials. It also highlights the importance of judicial discretion in ensuring that justice is served proportionately to the severity of the crime.
As Morupisi begins his seven-year prison term, the case serves as a reminder of the consequences of corruption and the importance of integrity in public service.
