The Director of Public Prosecutions, Kgosietsile Ngakaagae has recused himself from all matters involving businessman Bakang Seretse and any associated companies. This follows the reinstatement of a controversial case linked to the National Petroleum Fund (NPF).
In a statemnt, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions said that Ngakaagae had stepped aside after declaring a conflict of interest stemming from a prior professional relationship with Seretse and an ongoing personal relationship.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions has formally recused himself from all matters involving Bakang Seretse and any associated companies,” the DPP stated.
“The public is further advised that the DPP is not involved in any decisions regarding the alleged charges and is further not involved in the alleged prosecution,” the statement added.
According to the DPP, the decision was taken to safeguard the integrity and independence of the prosecution process. As a result, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has been authorised to proceed with the matter at its discretion.The DPP said Ngakaagae will not be involved in any decisions relating to the alleged charges or the prosecution of the case.
“The public is further advised that the DPP is not involved in any decisions regarding the alleged charges and is further not involved in the alleged prosecution,” the statement added.
The development comes after the corruption watchdog reinstated a case linked to the National Petroleum Fund that had previously been settled through the courts.
At the time the case was initially handled by prosecutors, Ngakaagae was serving as Seretse’s attorney in private practice.
The move to recuse himself is seen as an attempt to avoid any perception of bias or undue influence in the handling of the revived case.
While the DPP’s office did not provide details of the allegations in its notice, it confirmed that the prosecution authority had effectively distanced itself from the matter following the recusal leaving the anti-corruption agency to determine the next course of action.
