Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, Magosi revealed that the DIS procured Tautona Lodge for its operational purposes. Earlier in the day, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for State President, Goitsemang Morekisi, had told the 61st PAC meeting that the ministry was not involved in the procurement of the property as it was done through the DIS and Office of the President. This is despite the two departments falling under the ministry’s portfolio. Morekisi said she could not answer questions relating to Tautona Lodge because the decision to acquire the tourism facility “didn’t come to my desk”.
However, Magosi told the committee that they acquired Tautona Farm, which consists of the lodge due to operational requirements. “I’m setting the record straight for Batswana to understand. Tautona Farm is owned by the DIS on behalf of government. “We acquired it for operational purposes. Our duty is to keep the country safe,” said Magosi when responding to questions from members of the PAC yesterday. In trying to justify why they acquired the land, Magosi pointed out that other security organs in the country such as the Botswana Defence Force also own land for operational purposes. “Less than five kilometres from Tautona Farm, there is a BDF farm which was purchased at a much higher price than this 4,000 hectare farm. This farm had wild animals, cattle, and three boreholes. We need it for operational purposes of state security,” he added.
