Kgosi- Remembering the pioneer of spy unit, DIS
Mpho Mokwape - Sharon Mathala | Tuesday August 13, 2024 11:03
Then Kgosi was true to his known nature (whether true or not) of being the most ruthless and feared security agent with no nonsense attitude. The late Kgosi pioneered the spy unit in April 2008 under the stewardship of former president Ian Khama. Under his leadership, the DIS was the most feared security organ in the country and it was met with resistance as many felt the agency was formed to intimidate citizens. It was under him that the spy unit was accused of extra judicial killings and abuse of human rights and it was at the time that many felt he was untouchable.
By his own admission, Kgosi said he did not report to anyone not even the President. Certainly at the time there was fear that gripped the nation at the mention of the DIS, Kgosi or its agents. There was fear that one should not do something that will cause them to go after you as many believed the consequences of such were brutal. Kgosi and the DIS were feared for many reasons, some believed to be unlimited powers, lack of accountability and reputation for brutality. He and his organ then had a fearsome reputation against perceived threats from targeted individuals and was known to use brutal methods of interrogation of suspects that many believed resulted in the loss of lives. As much as Batswana were speculations due to how the intelligence organ allegedly operated and its Director General how he reportedly behaved even during his encounter with PAC, the late general was accused of leading a spy unit with no oversight or accountability.
DIS was portrayed as having far-reaching unlimited authority to conduct surveillance, make arrests, and carry out operations with little regard to the nation. But just as Motswana once said 'se sa feleng se a tlhola' all came crushing down for Kgosi as soon as Khama left office. Masisi took over from Khama in April 1, 2018 and the very same month, Kgosi was shown the door leading to a series of never-ending scandals for the latter. Kgosi, who has never seen rest since leaving office, may come across as the most charged former public officer as the State kept indicting him with different offences. Kgosi’ nightmare with the law all started in January 2019 at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport when he was first arrested in full view of the public upon his return from a wedding in India. In what was described as a Hollywood movie style arrest, Kgosi was handcuffed and taken into custody by a team of intelligence operatives and other law enforcement officers.
The incident took place in front of his family, media and appeared to have been well coordinated by the current DIS director-general Peter Magosi, Kgosi’s successor at the agency. Magosi personally escorted Kgosi into waiting vehicles outside the airport. Even though it was initially not clear at the time as to why the intelligence unit pounced on Kgosi, there were allegations of tax evasion on his part. It was alleged that the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) subjected the former spy chief to a lifestyle audit. This was where he uttered words the controversial phrase, 'I will topple the government'. It went downhill from there as Kgosi started being slapped with charges one after the other which never ceased until taking his last breath early Sunday morning reportedly while undergoing operation at a local private hospital. Kgosi even at the time he was going in and out of court fighting with the same spy unit he pioneered he was always complaining of spinal and back issues.
Feared as he was at the time he led DIS, many syphathised with him during his troubles with the law and now messages of condolences have been pouring towards his family. His close ally and now confirmed friend, former president Khama has issued a statement. In a Facebook post, Khama described Kgosi as a patriot. 'Colonel Kgosi who has also now passed away, was also a true patriot who loved our country and its people and was always motivated to do the best for it. He was also a true hero in that in recent years, he was subjected to always being tormented, harassed, arrested and detained illegally and having false charges brought against him by the regime. Obviously he was never convicted in any of these fabricated cases. They failed to break him despite their desperate and stated attempts to try to do so.' Khama further in a cryptic message concluded 'Whatever the cause of his death, it has only served to strengthen our resolve'.