DIS running on fumes
Mpho Mokwape | Monday June 12, 2023 06:00
The spy unit, which received approximately P300 million during the 2023–2024 financial year’s development budget, is allegedly struggling financially resulting in many aspects of the unit being compromised.
The unit’s officers who spoke strictly on condition of anonymity to Mmegi have alleged that the Director General (DG) of the controversial DIS, Peter Magosi is the one who told them that the spy unit has no funds and that it was only waiting for a surplus budget. “Many things are getting compromised; even officers who are supposed to be paid some money owed to them have not been paid.
Magosi addressed some of us and informed us that the intelligence unit has no money,” insiders observed. Employees under the Intelligence section are crying that there is no money to pay sources and that sometimes they are forced to use their own resources to keep their work going.
The officers explained that intelligence most often thrives with sources to safeguard the security of the country meaning that sometimes they have to rely on sources to get intelligence information but they alleged that their work has been difficult as there is no money to pay their sources. “Sources are people who help us with information when the need arises but lately we have been told that the unit has no money to pay sources.
This has meant that the national security is getting compromised and where possible we have been forced to use our own resources to do our job,” the officers state. The officers also explained that it was not only the lack of money that was allegedly compromising the security of the country but also the infighting between Magosi and his officers. The officers have further alleged that there has not been peace within the unit with visible divisions, which was ultimately compromising issues of national security.
The insiders alleged that with Magosi not seeing eye-to-eye with some officers who are not happy with how things are run and him (Magosi) not in touch with the welfare of the workers, things are reportedly not looking good. “Most officers are not happy at how things are run, it’s not only the lack of funds but the fights are also a major contribution to compromised national security,” alleged aggrieved DIS officers. In relation to the welfare of the employees, the officers have alleged that Magosi does not care about their welfare.
The officers allegedly loyal to former DG Isaac Kgosi say it was way better in that era because he (Kgosi) cared a lot about his officers’ welfare more than anything else. “To be honest, Kgosi had his own ‘troubles’ but to say we suffered under him would be a lie. Kgosi would even go to the extent of taking money out of his own pocket to see that his officers are taken good care of. There was transport everyday and we were never forced to use our own resources,” alleged the frustrated officers. Officers further alleged that they have on many occasions failed to execute their duties as there would be no transport pointing out that vehicles that were used during Kgosi’s time many are no longer serviceable.
The officers have alleged that Magosi was good at making promises and bad at execution of such promises. Still on the welfare of the employees, the officers reported they live in dilapidated houses with no security in place.
“The Block 7 flats are in a terrible state, ceilings are falling, there is no maintenance done and worse still, the buildings are not secured, anyone has access to the buildings which compromises our own security,” reported the disgruntled officers.
Moreover, the DIS sleuths have complained about utility money not being enough to cover monthly expenses especially looking at the exorbitant charges of electricity and water which often forces them to dig deeper into their own pockets before the month ends. With so many unresolved issues within the spy unit, rumours are rife that many are contemplating leaving for greener pastures. “It is no secret that many are thinking of quitting the spy unit because of frustration and it is just a matter of time before the nation sees the mass exodus of officers,” the insider alleged.
In his response to Mmegi enquiries on allegations that the DIS was broke, the Directorate public relations and protocol director, Edward Robert was emphatic that the DIS was not broke.
“The Directorate gets funding from government. There is a process of budgeting and request for funding that government entities follow. However, just like all other government ministries, the DIS is not able to have all its needs funded by government. That is why prioritisation is key in planning. And our priority is staff welfare,” Robert further explained.