Magosi ‘biggest national security threat’
Sharon Mathala | Monday December 5, 2022 06:00
According to a leaked criminal docket on the top spy, Magosi’s acts are alleged to be sometimes “detrimental to the government of Botswana.”
The damning report by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and leaked to Mmegi, alleges that Magosi abused his office when he singlehandedly and without proof alleged that a Chinese construction company was a national security threat. According to the report, Magosi had alleged that China Jiangsu International (CJI) was a national security threat and that because of Magosi’s “blunder and total disregard for the law and laid down procedures”, the Government of Botswana and by extension, Batswana’s taxes had to pay the price.
The government had to cough up a settlement fee of P112 million after the firm and the state clashed in court.
“Through Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), the government paid an out of court settlement of P112 million. Further, the WUC had to pay for arbitration costs for an arbitrator before an agreement to finally settle out of court was reached,” alleges the DCEC report.
According to the report, Magosi allegedly continued his tactics turning the blame on WUC and its employees after they were directed through a court order to pay out the lump sum.
“Surprisingly, it was then the DIS through the accused person who then questioned the award again alleging that money was being paid without any service having been delivered. This, to the investigators, smacked of arbitrariness and/or capriciousness,” the DCEC docket on Magosi further reads.
According to the criminal docket on Magosi, top officers from the WUC who were also interviewed, pointed out that they allegedly raised issues on the matter with Magosi but the DG dismissed their counsel and instructed that the contract be terminated.
In the end, after refusing to accept counsel from officers, government paid heavily for Magosi’s blunders.
This is not the first time highly classified dockets expose Magosi’s decision-making that has in the end embarrassed government. Most recently, two senior DIS officers in dossiers revealed that Magosi might have put the country under risk.
In the first instance, he allegedly refused advice not to place all DIS officers and covert officers on transfers in one document, as this had the potential of being leaked to expose all agents. In the end, over 100 officers were exposed and their names and details were leaked to social media.
In another instance, Magosi was alleged to be at war with his second in command over the leakage of the purchase of presidential armoured vehicles, which was also leaked to the public.
Whilst Magosi suspended his second-in-command over the leakage, in the internal investigation reported by Mmegi recently, the deputy DG was adamant that he only sent the information to Magosi and “no one else”.
Quizzed about the possible Magosi investigations, suspended Director-General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes, Tymon Katlholo said he was not ready to shed light on a criminal case involving Magosi. He indicated that it was not in the nature of the DCEC to share investigations with the public, more so that he has taken the DIS to court for contempt of court.