UDC injects P233m into DIS, ‘backtracks’ on overhaul

Spira Tlhankane | Monday February 24, 2025 13:13

During his 2024 election campaign trail, President Duma Boko promised that the UDC would take apart the controversial organ to examine and repair it if necessary. As the new government backtracks on its promise made in the 2024 election manifesto, the 2025–2026 financial year draft estimates of expenditure show that the money will be used for the 'strengthening of DIS capabilities'.

This is contained in the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) Total Estimated Cost (TEC) revisions, which will be confirmed when the Appropriation Bill is passed by Parliament. “Development Budget 2025/2026 – TEC/Scope Revision, the TEC for Strengthening of the DIS programme needs to be increased by P233, 000, 000; from P1, 221, 464, 001 to P1, 454, 464, 001 to adequately cater for the mandate of DIS,” reads the document of the draft estimates of expenditure. There have always been reports that the DIS is struggling financially.

In its recurrent budget, the spy agency has asked for a special expenditure of P494,500 to cater for firefighting equipment, office equipment, and recording and broadcasting equipment. Last year, the extravagant security organ took P484,264,001 from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF)'s developmental budget to aid itself. The security organ, led by Peter Magosi, has often indicated that it was not able to have all its needs funded by the previous government. Speaking of needs, the 2025–2026 draft estimates of expenditure from the consolidated and development funds now show that the DIS has found a way around its sorry financial state with the P233m. Whilst a new government was expected to dismantle the organisation that is sometimes accused of being rogue, it looks like the Boko-led administration has changed its mind about its overhaul.

“This overhaul will entail a reconfiguration of the intelligence oversight role by a legislative committee to focus on several key tenets, including a mechanism to verify whether the intelligence community is fulfilling its mandate and reflects policy or vision,” the UDC stated in its manifesto. In their pillar two on democracy, governance, and security, the UDC, amongst others, promised to revise governance institutions like the DIS to establish a truly democratic, free, and secure nation for all to participate and fully enjoy their rights and freedoms.