Spy Chief a liability for Masisi - Analyst

When Mokgweetsi Masisi takes the oath of office as Botswana’s fifth President in April, he should look for a new spy boss including heads of the disciplined forces, a local political analyst has advised. Ndulamo Morima informed The Midweek Sun that irrespective of whether various allegations levelled against the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS) since its inception are true or false, Masisi should set his own tone instead of relying on the old guard left behind by his predecessor, Ian Khama. “As the incoming new President, Masisi should have his own tone.

Like in many other countries, incoming Presidents prefer to have their own trusted people to head crucial governmental departments, including the DIS which reports directly to him,” he said.

DIS Director-General Isaac Kgosi was roped in by Khama when he took the reins from Mogae in 2008 and since then, the spy agency has been fingered, rightly or wrongly, for many ills locally, including extra-judicial killings, abduction, spying on citizens and money laundering allegations. When Kgosi was appointed by Khama, there were dissenting voices from concerned citizens and members of the disciplined forces who felt that there were some DIS members more qualified than Kgosi. As if that was not enough, during Khama’s take over, Kenny Kapinga who was tipped to be the next police commissioner was redeployed and replaced by a little unknown police commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe who was Khama’s most favoured senior police constable.

A BDF senior member was redeployed to head the Botswana Prisons Services (BPS) where he still holds the fort. Some other key government institutions were assigned former military personnel or people deemed close to the president, as leading officers. Other observers also feel that Masisi will not have full power and control over things should he not make his own appointments to especially the disciplined forces and key governmental agaencies.