Botswana Defence Force (BDF) former intelligence operatives, Brigadier Peter Magosi and Sergeant Dzikimani Mothobi who are being investigated following the alleged disappearance of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) intelligence surveillance equipment are reported to be top on a hit list that is being whispered in intelligence circles – intelligence sources have revealed.
The investigation against Brig Magosi and Sgt Mothobi has revealed deep divisions within the Directorate of Intelligence Services and the Military Intelligence. Perhaps the most telling sign is a letter from Brigadier Magosi’s lawyer Dick Bayford suggesting that some DIS and MI operatives may testify in support of Brig Magosi against the BDF and DIS command.
In the letter addressed to the BDF commander, dated April 11th, Bayford states that, “we will be interviewing several potential witnesses currently serving under the command of the BDF, DIS and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) as well as retired officers and soldiers. This letter is copied to the Directors, DIS and DCEC for their information.”
Sgt Mothobi who was one of the accused in the extra-judicial execution of John Kalafatis is reported to have been the spark-plug man in the Military Intelligence Technical Division while Brig Magosi who testified in the Kalafatis murder trial was Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence. The duo has since been transferred from the Military Intelligence and Magosi is now commander of ground forces.
As one of the most decorated military officers, Magosi is strongly tipped to take over from Isaac Kgosi as head of DIS. With a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies, another Masters Degree in Defence Studies he graduated in combined Strategic Intelligence in the US before Kgosi.
Insiders say he is widely considered more knowledgeable that Kgosi and this has bred rivalry between the two. Magosi also took part in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and was part of the United Nations operation in Mozambique. He was also part of Operation BOLEAS in Lesotho in 1999.
Sources inside intelligence circles say the current investigation against Magosi was part of a bigger plot to discredit him while Mothobi has been caught in the cross fire as he was always with him on major intelligence operations.
In a letter to Magosi’s layers requesting exhibits presented before the Board of Inquiry, BDF commander, Lt General Galebotswe who convened the Board Inquiry suggests that his decision to investigate the pair was not based on any exhibit presented to him as evidence. In response, Bayford states that Lt Gen Galebotswe’s decision to investigate Brig Magosi “involves a value judgement on your part, which judgement would ordinarily be taken after a careful assessment of information and material placed before you. It is precisely for this reason that we request from you the said information and material which you ought to have ordinarily considered when you made your decision. Even if your decision was not premised on any information and material, which would be very unlikely as this would render your judgement irrational, the information and documents requested (or the bulk thereof) would ordinarily be under your proper custody and control. You have not proffered any other reason why same may not be availed to us.”
The power jostling in the military circles is also believed to be feeding the rivalry between the DIS and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC). The DCEC recently launched a corruption investigation against Kgosi and one of the witnesses who will be testifying in defence of Magosi and Mothobi in the inquiry is one K. Mokope a former member of the DIS who defected to the DCEC after falling out with Kgosi. Mokope was recently called to appear before the inquiry for a pre investigation interview with the inquiry board, but refused to show up, allegedly with the full support of DCEC boss, Rose Seretse.
