Press statement by director general of DIS in response to false allegations in the media

We are, however, concerned, that certain misguided elements within our community seem to have made it a habit to slander our organisation with a constant stream of unsubstantiated allegations and innuendos. In this respect, the DIS has been repeatedly and falsely accused of such heinous activities as extra-judicial killings, torture, and spying on political activists, e.g. most recently, carrying out surveillance on some Botswana Democratic Party members.

In the interest of accountability to the public we were established to serve, the DIS finds it appropriate to once more set the record straight. We are well and sadly aware of the "sources" of some of the innuendos and falsehoods that have been leveled against the Directorate. It is our perception that in many cases our accusers have been motivated by their own partisan or personal agendas. Such elements threaten to compromise the wider public stake in our activities for their own selfish interests.