While Botswana Federation of Public, Private & Parastatal Sector Union (BOFEPUSU) accuses Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS/DISS) of abuse of power, the Directorate maintains that there is nothing wrong in what they are doing.
On their statement currently BOFEPUSU has rubbished the DIS’s challenge for the Federation to produce evidence to back its accusations levelled against the spy agency.
“As a federation, we readily welcome the challenge as a great opportunity to scrutinize the organ for the good of the Country βs democracy. Our firm held view is that the DISS is deliberately and purposefully denying common knowledge.
On that note, we advise DISS to be ready and avail itself for probe before an independent parliamentary/judicial enquiry, and we call on parliament to establish such a body to enable for submission of evidence against undemocratic acts by DISS.” Tobokani Rari, BOFEOUSU Secretary General asserted.
On its statement refuting BOFEPUSU allegations and challenging the organization to produce evidence, the DIS denied ever acting above the law in any way.
The Directorate notes that it has detained and interrogated persons of interest, while their lawyers who are always allowed accessed to them, have been required to depose sworn affidavits ascertaining instances of abuse and illegal conduct by the Directorate. The DIS reveals that to date, no sworn claims of torture and other human-rights abuses have been recorded and consequently ascertained by the courts of law against the Directorate.
“It is regrettable that, BOFEPUSU seeks to speak for democratic accountability by downplaying the lawful and unavoidable role of the intelligence and security function in a democracy. Contrary to the Unionβs misconceived notion, the Intelligence and Security Services Act (2008) mandates the Directorate to play a role in the mandates of ALL government ministries, department and agencies. This is because as required by Part II Section 5 of the Intelligence and Security Services Act (2008) the Directorate has a duty investigate, gather, evaluate, interpret and disseminate intelligence to ALL government ministries, departments and agencies. It is therefore inevitable that the Directorate will, as a matter of necessity, work to support investigations, prosecution and related activities by collaborating with other law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders. This is a well-established role of the intelligence and security function across the world, and it is in keeping with established democratic practices.” said Edward Robert, DIS Public Relations Director.
BOFEPUSU had accused the DIS of; disregarding the law, meddling onto other ministries and government departments’ affairs, unaccountable, and terrorising citizens.
The Directorate has formerly been accused of searching former President Khama’s residences without search warrants, detaining some Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) activists, and playing big brother among government ministries and departments.
