12 May 2022

Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Director General, Brigadier Peter Magosi says if not handled properly, national issues could mutate into national security issues.

Brig. Magosi told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, that when crime elevated to national security, it automatically went to the DIS.

He said though their operations cut across other departments, they worked with other security agencies and that any differences could be resolved.

Brigadier Magosi stressed that they work with other organs., hence they were seen fighting corruption.

He further assured the PAC that his organ would not frustrate investigations against its officers. 

He said no persons were above the law, adding that nobody could stop investigations, even if they involved him, as the DIS director general.

The DIS boss explained that fighting corruption had become the DIS’ mandate because it eroded public trust on the government, hence becoming a national security issue.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Magosi said DIS was working alongside other security agencies on the drugs situation in schools, and said something would come out before the end of the year

On other issues, he said that previous engagement with PAC had assisted the organ to do things procedurally, lamenting however that lack of a parliamentary oversight committee created a serious gap in their operations.

“We appeal to you as the leadership that it would be very beneficial to us as an institution if the parliamentary oversight committee would come together and work with us,” he said.

Brigadier Magosi said the DIS was operating with an old fleet, which could be rendered unserviceable, due to financial constraints.

He said globalisation had brought negative effects such as misuse of social media and loss of culture, which he said called for political and cultural leadership.He told the PAC that they were also looking into the review of the DIS Act. ENDS