Demoted DIS officers threaten to sue gov't
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday August 30, 2019 14:23
The threat comes after DIS withdrew the agents from Khama’s office and further demoted them early this week. Former president, Ian Khama confirmed both the demotions and withdrawal of the officers. “It is true the officers have being demoted. They have not yet been replaced and there is no communication with my office from the government on what they would do next,” Khama said.
Mmegi has learnt that three officers were demoted from C2 scale to C3 scale while another one moves from C3 to C4. According to a source, the three officers were transferred to DIS headquarters. Initially on their arrival from India the trio were summoned to the DIS office and slapped with disciplinary action, the decision the former did not take kindly to.The trio face charges of defying instruction by the employer. Khama condemned the decision saying it was unlawful.
Khama told a local newspaper that DIS office only phoned the three security officers not to accompany him, but the officers requested that an official communication be made through former president’s office. Then the three officers continued with their normal responsibilities. But DIS boss Peter Magosi said the demotions of the trio came after recommendations of an investigation on the officers’ conduct.
“The trio were charged with disobedience to orders because the government had warned them not to accompany former president when he visited the Dalai Lama. That is why government did not sponsor such a trip. I had told my workmates that we are not going to allow indiscipline,” Magosi said.
Magosi said he did not tolerate indiscipline hence they had fired other three officers for criminal issues. On the issue of transfers, he said the officers were long transferred last year but former president had asked him to be given time to look for his preferred replacements..
“We have agreed with him to give us names of officers whom he wants so that they could start work with immediate effect at his office. Transfers affect everyone equally. The officers will be replaced immediately after Khama has brought the names of officers he wants,” he said.