Disquiet in BDF, police as the spy body recruits

TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA
Staff Writer | Friday February 8, 2008 00:00

Sources indicate that Isaac Kgosi, the man reportedly tipped for the top job as director of the wing, has been recruiting across various organs within both Botswana Police Service and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).

Kgosi, currently Vice President Ian Khama's Senior Private Secretary, is reported to be on a recruitment drive for the envisaged intelligence body that promises better working conditions.

He is said to have visited the Special Branch, which falls under the Botswana Police, where he promised a better environment under the new organisation.

However, it is understood that some officers showed reluctance to enlist, prefer ring the safety of their current employment in their respective departments.

The directorate, which is understood to have already brought together a core team of men said to be close to both Khama and Kgosi - from the elite arms of the BDF, the Military Intelligence and Special Forces - is now looking to beef up its numbers with officers from other bodies. A source within the intelligence community warns that the new body is viewed with suspicion because of its seeming interest in building a team of people who are 'close to the Vice President and his men'.

'It is causing all sorts of insecurities within the current intelligence organisations both within the military and the police. It is seen by a lot of officers as some sort of organ for officers who are viewed as favourites to the people in political office,' says one officer.
'Many also fear that the new body may become more powerful and even usurp their roles as it becomes more resourced.

Some suggest it is basically a body to address narrow interests of those who are to control it, rather than a national body, that's why other people also mistrust it.' Kgosi was unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, when delivering the Budget for the financial year 2008/09, Finance and Development Planning minister Baledzi Gaolathe indicated that a major portion of the P2.96 billion allocated to the State President, under which the directorate falls, will go towards establishing the body.

The directorate is slated for formal establishment this year following the passing of The Security and Intelligence Act by Parliament amid controversy last year.