Law enforcement internal wars rage on

Turf wars within the country’s law enforcement agencies top brass continue to play out in the open, showing signs of a fractured law enforcement system.

In a new development the two critical agencies, the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) find themselves in a serious situation that could further strain the relationship between the two agencies.

The DCEC Head of Intelligence Tshepo Pilane has made scathing allegations against the DIS Director General Brg (Rtd) Peter Magosi.

In a letter written to the DCEC Director General and copied to Minister Kagiso Mmusi, Commissioner of Police Dinnah Marathe and Permanent Secretary to the President Emmah Peloetletse, Pilane makes a request for investigations against Magosi and for protection of him and his family together with protection of investigative functions/processes of the DCEC as regards official investigations into the conduct of the DIS Director.

“It is appropriate to mention that investigation into possible corruption by Mr Magosi have, as with all other investigations, been kept confidential. However, it is clear that he has come to know of the same by agency of one or other members of the DCEC who is officially in the loop and this has to be further investigated since this has to do with information leakage from the DCEC,” Pilane said.

Pilane who was once Acting Director General at DCEC revealed that he received a call from a person codenamed Thabo Stimela purpoting to be acting for and on behalf of Director, Peter Fana Magosi, he said adding that he recognised the name as it is known in the law enforcement circles.

Pilane stated in the letter that the individual advised that he had been sent by Magosi to enquire into why he (Pilane) was after him (Magosi). He said according to the individual, Pilane’s office was investigating Magosi, which thing Magosi strongly objected.

“The individual stated that that Director Mr Magosi took exception to the investigations my office was conducting against him and that I needed to cease and desist. He stated that they were prepared to talk to me to “negotiate”.

“I found the approach gravely inappropriate. To begin with (in the absence of information to the contrary); the caller was not a person within the government system to be privy to DCEC investigations;

“If Director Mr Magosi had a grievance against my conduct he could have pursued same through official government grievance procedures including seeking an intervention through my superiors, your good office or that of the Ombudsman.”

According to Pilane the caller also told him that Magosi revealed to him (the caller) that he has a case with the DCEC where he is said to be having a construction company that is building houses for his concubines.

Pilane revealed that the caller stated that Magosi was furious and he told “me to tell you that he is going to leave you lying like a dog. He asked me if I can meet him with you to find out how we can get rid of that file since he understands that you are the one doing the case”.

The DCEC head of Intelligence argues that accordingly there has been a threat to kill made on his life by Magosi and a person acting on his instructions. He pointed out that further the use of the individual by Magosi to call him was clearly intended to threaten, intimidate and harass him and, and therefore, inappropriately to influence the discharge of his office’s mandate.

He said by reason of what he mentioned he notes that “a case exists for the protection of the work of the Directorate against Director Peter Fana Magosi and non-state actors acting under his instruction.

“A case exists for the protection of my person and that of my family from possible harm by Director Mr Magosi and non-state actors acting under his instruction. A case exists, both administratively and criminally, for an official investigation into the conduct of Director.”

He added that a case exists, both administratively and criminally, for an investigation into the threat to kill against him and how Magosi became aware of the investigation against him resulting in the improper conduct complained about. According to Pilane he stands ready to provide further clarification as he may be required and through the office of his institutional superior.

“Until now, I have not reported the matter to law enforcement authorities in order not to pre-empt any guidance that I may receive from your office on the matter. I would however be happy to note that the Botswana Police Service Commissioner has been made aware of this situation as it perfectly falls within her mandate,” Pilane said.

He revealed that in pursuit of the objective of fighting and investigating corruption, the DCEC and his office in particular, are within the scope of its statutory mandate, investigating cases of possible corruption by the DIS Director Peter Magosi.

Magosi had not responded to our enquiries at press time. Botswana Police Service Public Relations Officer Assistant Commissioner told this publication on Wednesday that they have not received any report of threat to kill by Pilane.