VENSON-MOITOI UNMOVED BY DISS PR STUNT

  • Says they continued to follow her last weekend to Kang
  • Reporting to the police is a waste of time – Moitoi

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Presidential hopeful Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi says she does not consider her life under any threat despite claims that she is constantly followed around by Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) agents.

Her assurances come two days after former President Ian Khama told South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that the former Minister of Local Government, Venson- Moitoi, was paying a heavy price for her decision to challenge President Mokgweetsi Masisi for the Presidency of the BDP. Khama told SABC that DIS agents are following Moitoi ‘everywhere’ she goes.

The DIS have refuted the claims by Khama. In an open letter the DIS claim that “The statement is not only misleading but is designed to cultivate unnecessary fear in the eyes of Batswana and the international community.” They further dismissed Moitoi as in anyway, a national security threat and add that the spy agency will not be drawn into meddling in political battles.
Speaking to The Botswana Gazette yesterday (Monday), Venson-Moitoi made fresh allegations that she was followed all the way to Kang over the weekend.

“Yes, it is true they have been following me around,” Venson Moitoi boldly claimed.

“I even had to call Magosi (Peter) and ask him what they were up to. They spied on me all week in Serowe prior to our elders meeting. They followed me to Kang this weekend, but honestly it doesn’t really mean anything to me. I have a taken a decision to challenge the automatic succession and my mind is made up.”

When asked if she is was considering any action against DIS or any of the spies following her, Venson Moitoi questioned the purpose of such a complaint, “What’s the use for me to report them to the police? No one will take any action, so it is just a waste of time.” She however refused to share details of her discussions with DIS Director General.

“I do not really see my life under any threat. I took this decision from deep inside me and if i have to pay a price for it, let it be. It is now up to Batswana to decide.”

Last month, former President Khama, told BDP members in Serowe that his life is under threat. He claimed that Batswana have now become ‘more fearful and scared’ of the DISS than ever before.

“They want to bury us alive. I have received many calls from Batswana complaining that nowadays they cannot speak freely because of the new DISS administration. Their phones have been tapped and they fear for their lives,” said Khama. He further accused Masisi of using government agency to fight political wars.