- DISS confirms starting investigations
- Khama has reported the matter to the police
The Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) has opened investigations into allegations that cabinet minister Dr Thapelo Matsheka plotted to assassinate President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama, The Botswana Gazette has established.
DISS spokesman Edward Robert says that the claims border on national security and it is within the mandate of the DISS to follow up the matter. One Tumisang Setumbeko, who says he was a part of Matsheka’s campaign team for the 2019 general elections, has gone on social media with shocking claims of how he turned down instructions by Matsheka to assassinate certain people.
Matsheka, who is the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, has denied any knowledge of these claims and is said to have reported the matter to the police.
“From time to time we do receive reports or allegations raising issues that have a bearing on our mandate as DISS,” said Robert “When that happens, we subject the same to our established processes so as to determine the cause of action to take.
“However, it is never our practice to share with the media what cause of action we take. Even so, I urge anyone who has any information that suggests unlawfulness of any form to always inform law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.”
Once investigations are concluded, DISS hands matters over to relevant authorities, Robert added. The Botswana Police had not responded to Gazette questions at the time of going to press last night. Meanwhile, Khama is reported to have asked the police to inquire into Setumbeko’s claims. DISS is also responsible for the security of Khama as a fomer president.
In a social media video posted last week, Setumbeko alleges that the plot to assassinate Masisi was to be carried out when the President was in Lobatse to officially launch Matsheka as the BDP parliamentary candidate for the town in July 2019.
He claims to have evidence to back his spine-chilling claims and is ready to prove them in court. “… Ke kopa Tautona a botse Rre Matsheka gore agenda ya lona le bo mmata ba gago ya go bolaya Tautona ka launch ya Domkrag ko Lobatse, a mo tlhalosetse ka yone,” he says on the video, his image as clear as daylight. (I want the President to ask Dr. Matsheka to tell him about his agenda of killing the President at the BDP launch in Lobatse.)
“That guy had an agenda,” Setumbeko continues in the video. “I was ordered to go and kill people and I refused. I refused to go and poison Kamal Jacobs. I refused to go and poison Jomo Dithebe.”
In another video also released, Setumbeko claims that Dr. Matsheka wanted to see former president Ian Khama dead after Khama launched Kamal Jacobs ahead of the 2019 general elections. The youthful Setumbeko says he refused to carry out this instruction as well.