Press Release - Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS)

source: Republic of Botswana (17/3/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 7 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C3) 13/3/09: Press Release - Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS)

* Public cautioned about individuals falsely representing themselves as DIS officers
* DIS Toll Free Number - 0 800 600761

The Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) wishes to inform members of the public that there have of late been instances in which criminal elements have masqueraded as DIS agents in order to try to gain entry into properties for the purpose of stealing.

In recent weeks four such instances - in Mahalapye, Palapye and Sebebi-Phikwe and Gaborone - have resulted in arrests and convictions.

In each of the four cases the criminals had tried to gain access to properties by claiming that they were looking for certain individuals or other members of the DIS. While the owners of the homes were thus distracted by the impostors their fellow criminals would gain entry in the dwelling in order to grab keys and/or other valuables.

In the above context, members of the public are reminded that, in accordance with Section 22 of the Intelligence and Security Service Act, like other law enforcement agencies, DIS personnel are required to obtain a warrant from a senior magistrate or a judge of the High Court before entering any premises for the purpose of carrying out their investigations.

The powers of DIS personnel to otherwise gain access without a warrant are limited to situations in which a officer may "for the purpose of effecting an arrest, enter and search any premises or place if he or she has reason to believe that there is in the premises or place a person who is to be arrested."

In such cases the Act, however, further mandates that a DIS officer or support staff "shall not enter any premises or place unless the officer or support staff has first stated that he or she is an officer or support staff and the purpose for which he or she seeks entry and produced his or her identity card to any person requesting production." 

Members of the public are also advised that Sections 17 and 18 of the Act make it a criminal offence for any one to falsely represent themselves as being officers, support staff or otherwise associated with DIS.

Any members of the public who believe that they may have been victims of individuals who falsely represent themselves as being associated with DIS are encouraged to contact the office of the DIS Director General at the following toll free number with their concerns - 0 800 600761.