Motsepe-Radebe denies ‘baseless’ money-laundering allegations
Businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe has describes allegations of money-laundering made against her as “baseless”.
AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, headed by Advocate Gerrie Nel, has been hired by the Botswana government to help it pursue a case of alleged money laundering against Motsepe.
Botswana has accused Motsepe-Radebe of helping finance a coup attempt against Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi in 2019.
Motsepe issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
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"There is no truth to these allegations. I have never laundered money,” she said.
"I have denied these allegations since December last year on the basis of readily available evidence which has already been widely reported on in both South Africa and Botswana media.
"It is preposterous to allege that I am a co-signatory of bank accounts that don't exist held by companies which also don't exist. As stated in the Nedbank letter: After conducting a search on our Nedbank systems, we have been unable to find any accounts in the name of Blue Flies (Pty) Ltd / Bluefiles (Pty) Ltd / Fireflies (Pty) Ltd , nor any accounts with the account numbers mentioned.
"It therefore follows that you cannot be, and are not, a signatory on such non-existent accounts," she added.
She has appointed Cherie Blair, the wife of former British prime minister Tony Blair, to lead her defence.
"I have appointed international law firm Omnia Strategy LLP, led by Cherie Blair CBE QC, and a leading international business intelligence company, Alaco Limited, to conduct an independent investigation into these allegations.
"I am in consultation with my lawyers and intend to sue all parties who have publicly made false accusations about me in the Hubona affidavit."