‘No qualifications needed for one to head DIS’
Spira Tlhankane | Monday November 2, 2026 06:00
Khama, the man who established the DIS in 2008, and appointed the late, Isaac Kgosi as its first head turned the spotlight on the appointment of the country's intelligence chief during a Ntlo Ya Dikgosi meeting this week. He demanded clarity on the criteria governing the appointment and continued engagement of its DG. The questions come at a time when the DIS is undergoing another leadership transition following the departure of Peter Magosi and the appointment of Aobakwe Monamo as Acting DG. Responding to Khama in Ntlo Ya Dikgosi on Wednesday, the Minister of International Relations Phenyo Butale revealed that the President enjoys considerable discretion in determining who heads the country's intelligence establishment, with the governing legislation leaving several critical appointment requirements unspecified.
'The Act does not prescribe specific qualifications, a fixed term of office or an age limit for the position,' Butale stated on behalf of the Minister for State President, Defence and Security. 'The appointment is therefore, made at the discretion of the President.' Ironically, Khama himself exercised those presidential powers when he appointed the late Kgosi as the first DG of the DIS following its establishment nearly two decades ago.
Kgosi, a former military officer and close Khama associate, became the founding head of the intelligence agency, whose establishment marked a significant shift in Botswana's national security architecture. Khama's intervention comes against the backdrop of persistent questions surrounding the suitability, experience and independence of individuals appointed to lead the intelligence organisation. In his response Butale revealed the appointment of the DIS head is governed by Section 6 of the Intelligence and Security Service Act. Section 6(1) provides that the DG shall be appointed by the President on terms and conditions determined by the Head of State, following a recommendation from the Intelligence and Security Council established under Section 29 of the Act. 'The appointment of the DG of the DIS is governed by section 6 of the Intelligence and Security Service Act [Cap. 23:02],' he explained.
Butale further clarified that the President's discretion is exercised in light of the responsibilities imposed on the intelligence chief by the legislation. He explained that the same appointment procedures apply when the intelligence chief's contract is renewed or extended. 'On continued engagement, the duration of the appointment and any renewal, extension or termination are governed by the terms and conditions determined under section 6(1). 'Any renewal or extension is therefore subject to the same procedure as the original appointment,' he said.
Before assuming office, the DG is also required to take oaths of allegiance and secrecy before the President in accordance with Section 12 and the Schedule to the Act. The disclosure comes at a particularly sensitive time for the DIS, which has recently witnessed another change of guard following Magosi's departure. His successor, Monamo, has inherited an intelligence establishment that has struggled with allegations of political interference, institutional divisions and declining public confidence. Unlike his predecessors, who came from military backgrounds, Monamo is a lawyer whose appointment represents a departure from the tradition of placing former military officers at the helm of the intelligence agency.
His appointment has attracted mixed reactions, with some observers believing that his legal background could help restore respect for the rule of law within the DIS, while others have questioned his lack of operational intelligence experience. Monamo holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and previously worked as a prosecutor at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions before entering private legal practice. He subsequently joined Duma Boko & Co., the law firm associated with President Duma Boko, where he became a partner in 2014. However, supporters of his appointment believe that his legal expertise could prove valuable in reforming an institution whose conduct has repeatedly attracted judicial scrutiny. Sources within the intelligence establishment argued that the new acting chief's legal background could help steer the organisation towards greater compliance with its statutory mandate.
Nevertheless, concerns remain about whether Monamo possesses the operational experience necessary to navigate the complex world of intelligence gathering, covert operations and national security threats. The concerns highlight the significance of Khama's questions about the appointment criteria for the country's intelligence chief. While the law grants the President considerable discretion, the absence of expressly prescribed qualifications has brought into focus whether political judgment alone provides sufficient safeguards when appointing someone to oversee an institution with far-reaching national security responsibilities. The DIS has experienced a turbulent history since its establishment under Khama's administration.
Its first DG, Kgosi, became one of the most influential figures within the country's security establishment before his departure during the presidency of Mokgweetsi Masisi. He was succeeded by Magosi, another former military officer, whose tenure was characterised by persistent controversy, public scrutiny and a bitter relationship with his predecessor. The rivalry between Kgosi and Magosi became emblematic of the internal tensions and institutional divisions that have periodically engulfed the intelligence agency.
Monamo's appointment has consequently been viewed by some within the organisation as an opportunity to break away from the military-dominated leadership tradition and introduce a different approach to managing the spy agency. However, Khama's latest questions have shifted attention beyond the personalities occupying the DG's office to the legal framework that determines how they are appointed. The former president's intervention is particularly striking given his historical role in establishing the intelligence agency and shaping its initial leadership structure.