DISS, BURS searches Isaac Kgosi’ luxury home and farm
Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS) together with Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) and Botswana Police Services are expected to spend some days searching properties of former DIS Director General Isaac Kgosi.
This follows the arrest of Kgosi this week Tuesday night upon arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKA). Kgosi was fired from the security organ early last year by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi immediately after he ascended to the presidency. Botswana Guardian was part of the media organisations that camped outside Kgosi’s house in Phakalane on Wednesday as the security organs conducted a thorough search. The search was conducted mostly by officials from BURS. The presence of BURS in the search has raised speculations that the former spy boss is being investigated for tax evasion.
During the search which took the entire day and extended overnight, DISS Director General Brigadier Peter Magosi told the media corps gathered at the house that they are making progress in the investigations. He however said it was premature to state the charge that Kgosi would be slapped with, should any wrongdoing be found.
He explained that they have been conducting the investigations since 9am and that only BURS would be in a position to state how far the investigations would go. “I cannot say what we are currently looking for. We would have to reserve that for later because we do not want to compromise the investigations. This is a joint operation following the arrest at SSKA. “Part of that required us to come to the house for the search. We have decided to address you as the media but some of the answers we do not have them because our investigations are ongoing.
“We do not know how long we will be here and once we are done, we will move to other properties. Right now, we cannot go into details of the investigations,” said Magosi on Wednesday adding that Kgosi is still in police custody. Kgosi's lawyers Diba Diba and Unoda Mack who spent the better part of the morning in the house with their client since the search started revealed that Kgosi was cooperating with the authorities. They said that unlike Tuesday night when there was too much commotion and confrontation, the situation has since improved.
Diba stated that Kgosi is still under police custody. “From the document we have seen they want documents or any storage devices that might assist in their investigation regarding some tax issues,” he said. For his part Mack said they are not sure as to how many properties the law enforcement agencies would be searching adding that “it is entirely up to them as to which ones they want to search.” The arrest of Kgosi, a close associate of former president Ian Khama could also have a bearing on the already strained relationship between Dr. Masisi and Dr. Khama.
Last year Khama threatened to take legal action against Masisi’s administration for refusing to allow him to employ Kgosi as his Senior Private Secretary. This development according to observers could also raise the tension within the ruling party Botswana Democratic Party which has been engulfed by factional wars. Last year December Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Director General Bruno Paledi said they have several cases that Kgosi is being investigated for.