DIS turns rogue on itself
The controversial arrest of two senior officers of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) last week is said to have been sparked by the interrogation and torture of some senior executives at Air Botswana.
The DIS officers Lance Corporal Paul ‘Slim Shady’ Setlhabi and Pulane Kgoadi were arrested last week and later released from the cells without any charges. Botswana Guardian has however learnt that a fortnight ago DIS senior officers rounded up the executives of Air Botswana, where they were questioned about the procurement of four (4) aircrafts that the airline bought from Embraer 145 in Brazil. Air Botswana is a national carrier that operates and maintains a fleet of four aircraft, inclusive of the Embraer 170 Jet, ATR42-500 and two ATR72-600 advanced turbo propeller aircraft, which operate the domestic and regional scheduled flights. These aircraft allow for safe, and efficient flying, that is suitable for short to medium-haul flights across the airline’s route network.
Air Botswana is set to procure four new aircraft as part of its strategy to bolster its presence in the domestic and international market. Embraer 145 which is headquartered in Brazil has businesses in Commercial and Executive Aviation, Defense and Security, and Agricultural aviation. The company designs, develops manufactures and market aircraft and systems, providing services and support to customer after sale.
It is alleged that the arrested duo rounded up the airline General Manager, Senior Manager Legal Services, Human Resources Manager, among others, questioning their procurement processes. It is alleged that there was a tip-off about the procurement of the aircraft where a whistleblower who has interest in the matter and runs an aviation school indicated that there was corruption involved in the procurement processes.
The alleged intimidation and torture is said to have prompted the General Manager to report the matter to the highest office, where upon DIS Director General, Peter Magosi was questioned why his lieutenants have gone rogue. Setlhabi joined the DIS while he was still Lance Corporal at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) while Kgoadi joined from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.
The position Legal Services Manager held by Kgoadi has in the past been held by former senior prosecutors and magistrates. Setlhabi and Kgoadi are said to be unwanted at the directorate as some agents feel that Magosi has given the duo too much powers at the DIS. Their arrest is said to be a plan by the directorate to get rid of them after around December last year they rejected an instruction to be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that of Agriculture. Some sources within the directorate have revealed this is not the first instance where the duo acted that way, indicating that they were involved in others like that of the former Minister of Finance, Dr Thapelo Matsheka as well as in the former DIS Boss, Isaac Kgosi investigations.
Setlhabi was brought into the DIS by Kgosi, while Kgoadi was recruited by Magosi. Sources have revealed that the Directorate was left with no option but to arrest the duo so as to save face and protect integrity of the DIS and Air Botswana. Both Magosi and Air Botswana General Manager Lulu Rasebotsa have not responded at press time.