BDF’s half a billion pula rescues broke DIS
Spira Tlhankane | Monday February 12, 2024 06:00
Speaking of needs, the 2024/2025 draft estimates of expenditure from the consolidated and development funds now shows that the DIS has found a way around its sorry financial state. DIS’ sister organ, the BDF, has rescued the day with the Total Estimated Cost (TEC) for strengthening the latter’s capabilities being reduced by P484, 264, 001 from P4, 259, 000, 000 to P3, 774, 735, 999 to cater for DIS’ activities.
In the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) draft estimates, DIS’ development budget for the two fiscal years stood at P737, 200, 000 therefore the P484, 264, 001 from the BDF now takes the DIS’ budget to P1.2 billion. When the current financial year ends next month, the DIS is expected to have spent P421, 586, 001 in their first year. That means in the second and last financial year ending March 2025, the DIS will be left with P799, 878, 000 thanks to the BDF aid.
Had the BDF not rescued the situation, the DIS could be looking at P315 ,613, 999 to spend in the 2024-25 financial year. The approximately half a billion pula from the BDF is now expected to adequately cater for the Directorate’s activities.
Conversely, the DIS is said to have been waiting for a surplus budget to fix their leaking roof which among other problems included poor housing for agents, no money to pay sources, lack of resources and other welfare issues. DIS agents had also made allegations that during former spy chief, Isaac Kgosi’s era, there was unbounded opulence compared to the current DIS under Peter Magosi where it is less blissful.
Now that the P1.2 billion is available to cater for the DIS activities, the feared security organ could be back to a land flowing with milk and honey.
In terms of the recurrent budget, the DIS’ spending has decreased. The spy agency’s 2023-24 authorised expenditure was P764, 040, 200 but now the 2024-25 draft estimates shows a decrease to P756, 767,140. Despite a decrease in the recurrent budget, the DIS has asked for a special expenditure of P20.7 million to purchase vehicles. Last year disgruntled DIS agents told Mmegi that on many occasions they failed to execute their duties because of lack of transport. They indicated then that a lot of the DIS’ vehicles were no longer serviceable.
Moreover, having an authorised office equipment budget of P7, 260 in the 2023-24 financial year, the DIS is making a complete turnaround for their agents in the 2024-25 financial year. The DIS will spend P451, 500 on office equipment in upcoming financial year.
With the DIS reported to have been in a dire financial state by its own officers, other special expenditure for the DIS will include air conditioners, arms, ammunition, civil defence equipment, camping and weather protection equipment, field instruments fire fighting equipment, furniture and equipment, household and domestic equipment, office equipment, recording and broadcasting equipment and computer replacement.
Asked to reveal what majority of the money from the BDF will be used for, DIS spokesperson Edward Robert said he was unable to comment on the issue because at this stage it is just a budget proposal pending approval from parliament. He pointed out that he will await the Defence and Security minister to present the budget before Parliament first and that is when he can elaborate.
Having ran from April 2023, the P64 billion TNDP ends in the coming financial year ending March 2025. It was set to be an agent of change towards economic transformation. The TNDP was tabled by the Minister for State President, Kabo Morwaeng in December 2022.