Divided DIS gives Magosi sleepless nights
Sharon Mathala | Monday July 31, 2023 06:00
He added that some unresolved issues within the organisation give him sleepless nights. Magosi, the accounting officer of the notorious security organ, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week.
He, however, said the ‘problems’ are not a matter of national security. Previously, Mmegi has reported that the security organ is in ‘shambles’ with officers bitterly disgruntled. The officers were frustrated by what they termed governance issues at DIS and in particular the delay in getting their long overdue back pays as per the court order.
According to sources, there are three main factions within the spy directorate. In the new set up, there is a faction of former police officers and government security officers.
The other faction is characterised by ex-soldiers whilst the new crop forms the third faction. "Some officers were hired on C4 scale and they still hold the band. These officers were recruited then with the impression that after two years, as is the norm, they would move up a notch but they remain stagnant because they are allegedly associated with the founding DIS DSG, Isaac Kgosi. Members who were hired during the Magosi era earn a lot more than them," our source had said in a previous interview. Before the PAC, Magosi has admitted that they have a pending situation which he wished could be resolved as soon as possible. “There were people from government security sometime ago when I took over and the officers had taken the Directorate to court. When I looked at their reasons, I really believed they were right. We agreed with their request. Our lawyers sat down with their lawyers and agreed that we were not going to oppose their demand.
We promised that we would have paid their monies by this year but unfortunately, due to our budget constraints, we were not able to do that,” Magosi told the PAC. The DIS boss further stated that the DIS also had people on C4 scale set to be elevated to a superior C1 scale. He also pointed out that it is very painful that they have officers who feel that the organisation has done injustice to them because a lot of them have not received their back pays. “It is what I as an the accounting officer would like to see resolved. We requested for the Ministry of Finance to make a provision to pay them. This gives me sleepless nights. It is not good to lead people who are unhappy.
I am hoping something should be done. I believe should they get what it's due, it will solve a lot of problems. Our officers are unhappy,” he emphasised. According to Magosi, because of these challenges, he is leading a disgruntled organisation. “The bottom line is I am leading an organisation that is unhappy. I appeal to the government to assist us resolve this problem.” Speaking on the much-awaited amendment of the DIS Act, Magosi said the process has started and at the next PAC seating, the Act would have been amended.