The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), is not happy with the brazen mentality portrayed by the Directorate of Intelligence Security Services (DIS).
The main opposition coalition, notes the incidents in which they feel the spy agency violates human rights, and abuses its powers. The UDC says the agency is now a tool used by the ruling party to harass political opponents. According to the opposition coalition, they have experienced the harassment first hand when their leader, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko was faced with persecution in the build up to 2019 general elections. The UDC further states that the trend to harass political opponents by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) extended also to former president Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Isaac Kgosi, and those close to them.
“The increasing incidents of human rights violations and abuses perpetrated and instigated by the DISS are of great concern to us. The DISS has turned itself into an untouchable monster that controls all aspects of our lives with its leader being the new Tsar, dominating all state organs. We are witnessing large scale state sponsored terror on citizens which should not be allowed to fester anymore. Sadly, this situation is accompanied by hightened corruption” the UDC stressed.
UDC is convinced that It is clear that the aim is to intimidate, harass and whip the nation into silence and submission. The party appeal to those “who still have conscience in the judiciary, legislature, executive and other institutions to stand up against this sordid state of affairs.”
“We all have an obligation to defend the little that is left of our democracy. If not for ourselves let it be for our children. As we have said before, the DISS can not be allowed to bestride this country like a colossus. Like everyone else, it is not above the law.” the UDC charged.
In the recent turn of events, Judge Ranier Busang has dismissed DIS application to search Former President Khama’s property at Extension 5, Gaborone. The UDC is of the view that the Busang judgement raises a cardinal issue that the party can not agree more with. That the courts should jealously guard against unjustified violation of the people’s constitutional rights.
