25 Mar 2019

Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services director, Rtd Brigadier Peter Magosi descended at Central District Council (CDC) chamber amid deluges of concerns and accusations ranging from fear to merely uninformed speculations, at least according to responses that ensued.

In a rare spectacle, the second briefing of a council ever since he took over the DIS reins last year, Rtd Brig Magosi cut a calm and collected figure, fielding questions from the CDC councillors who sought explanations on various security issues and accusations.

Judging by the number of councillors who sought to comment and pose questions, it was clear that the DIS brief was the most sought after, especially that a lot of accusations have been leveled against the spy agency.

Like in any normal setting, some cllrs detested the DIS and called for its disbanding while  others appreciated its efforts and sought that it improves for a better delivery of its intelligence and security efforts. 

While accepting the blames of the past transgressions on the part of his organisation as perpetuated by Batswana through their council representatives, Brigadier Magosi explains the DIS mandate and asserts that his is to start on a clean slate and turn the organisation into a reputable spy agency. 

However, the spy chief does not rule out possibilities of misconduct by his junior officers, as has been a negative trend in the world of intelligence, but seeks to ‘clean’ the DIS image and remove the ‘rogue’ tag from the agency he leads. 

In fact, the DIS head starts by seeking forgiveness from Batswana for the transgressions of the past committed knowingly or unknowingly. To him, this sets a tone for a fresh start to the same mandate of intelligence and security.

Whilst explaining the mandate of DIS, Mr Magosi keeps reminding cllrs that as a custodian of national secrets, DIS has no business in following politicians unless they are implicated in aiding criminals such as money launderers. 

To the many issues put before him that sought clarifications, like their involvement in political parties’ factions, Brigadier Magosi clarified that it has never been in their interests to partake in party politics and that many of the accusations were unfounded and misguided.

Actually, Brigadier Magosi refutes even the latest accusation that his office was planning to kill MP for Tati East Mr Samson Guma. 

He wondered how Mr Guma, could peddle such shocking untruths about DIS when they (Brigadier Magosi and Mr Guma)are on talking terms. 

In fact, the DIS chief says Mr Guma has his mobile number to report rather than to spread falsehood and consequently skip the country.

He also cleared himself from accusations of killing one John Kalafatis and concedes that the officers, who were under his command, had since faced the wrath of the law.

Asked how drugs end up in the country, Brigadier Magosi says they are working hard to combat illicit drugs, but warned that despite their concerted efforts some drugs would still trickle into the country. Consequently, the DIS chief called on Batswana to play a meaningful role as whistle blowers so that wrongdoers could be investigated and ultimately put behind bars.

When quizzed about how their investigations, especially about high profile cases end up in the media, Brigadier Magosi conceded that in going about their duties, investigative journalists would find a way to dig up the information with a view to fulfill their duty of informing the nation. 

However, he said that there were some cases where they would invite the media in to send a message to the public, who usually respond positively. 

He says as a custodian of national security and secrets, he cannot divulge every piece of information to the media, no matter how probing they are. 

However, he admitted that there would always be leakage in the system. In cases of leakages, he says he would reprimand affected officers before considering a drastic action of dismissal. 

Earlier, Brigadier Magosi had told cllrs that it was imperative to seek slots at councils in order to explain their mandate, progress and future plans to the people’s representatives in order for Batswana to fully understand and appreciate the directorate. 

He said that upon resuming the DIS top post, the spy agency was perceived as rogue and was feared by the very people it was supposed to protect. 

“I warned my officers that we are not masters of the public, but servants of the public,” Brigadier Magosi said and warned that it was from their conduct that the people would judge them.

Brigadier Magosi conceded that they accepted criticism as it helped repair their otherwise dented image.

He said after resuming his duties, his directorate set priorities which included combating cattle theft in conjunction with the police through the infamous KgomoKhumo. 

The DIS provides intelligence and the police arrest the suspects. 

Also, the DIS prioritises corruption and economic crime,  which Brigadier Magosi found to be alarming at procuring entities in both the central government and councils. 

The agency also fights organised crime, illicit drugs and terrorism among other criminal activities. 

Brigadier Magosi said that in any criminal activity taking place there was a Motswana witness who either reports or simply withholds critical information. ends