12 Nov 2021

The Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) is concerned by the unfortunate misinformation emerging from some quarters which wrongly suggests that it has overstepped its mandate to harass its former Director General Col. Isaac Kgosi.

A press release from DIS says the directorate has noted ongoing public commentary regarding court appearances and detention of former Director General, Col. Isaac Kgosi. 
“Contrary to circulating misinformation, the fact of the matter is that the Directorate does not have ubiquitous authority beyond its established mandate, to usurp the role of partner law enforcement agencies, prosecuting authorities or the judiciary under any circumstances,” says the press release. 

The release says it is common knowledge that in any democracy, in the event there is reasonable basis to believe that a crime may have been committed by an individual such as Col. Kgosi to warrant arrest or prosecution, different agencies are involved in aiding investigations resulting in lawful judicial action to that effect. 

“In this scenario, the role of the Directorate as established by the Intelligence and Security Services Act (2008) is to gather information to support police investigations and requirements of other law enforcement authorities and processes.
 “Investigations into matters with implications for national security like in this case are collaborative and involve interagency cooperation, and not just the DIS as it has been suggested in media reports and some public commentary,” says the press release.

Col Kgosi, like all individuals facing accusations stands an equal opportunity to defend themselves in the courts, the press release further says.

“However, the directorate has no power or authority to influence the judiciary to make decisions one way or the other, let alone to harass individuals as it is being suggested”. 
The statement further says that the directorate plays its part according to the established laws and requirements of its mandate, and will continue to do so regardless of the person or persons involved.
Additionally, the DIS says an impression should never be created therefore that by playing its role in investigations and other processes with implications for national security, the directorate is necessarily harassing the involved individuals. 

“The consequence of this misinformed view is that, an unfortunate impression will be created that one or such individuals are above the law and should never be subjected to lawfully established processes.
“Where any individual feels wronged by the Directorate, they have access to the judicial processes including the Intelligence Tribunal established in the Intelligence and Security Services Act (2008),” DIS says. 
ENDS