Makgophe’s arrest an embarrassment

For decades in Botswana the Police service has been largely regarded as a beacon of hope and a top security organ designed to enforce law, protect citizens and above all ensure there are no crimes or civil disorder.

On the other hand, the spy unit, Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) was created and mainly introduced to oversee the security of the nation. However, as things stand, the two forces seem to be overriding each other, resulting in clash of egos. The Police Commissioner is the highest rank in the police service and seen as the clean image of the service. But, the recent detention of Botswana Police Commissioner, Keabetswe Makgophe by another security organ has left many shell-shocked. The Botswana Police Service has also been operating as the face of integrity but, when it is questioned, it shakes the whole essence of law enforcement of the country.

The DIS has been doing too much lately and it’s the police that is currently feeling its fire. The creation of the intelligence agency seems to be spelling trouble for many including other security agencies that are feeling its ‘above the law’ presence.

There is surely a clash between the DIS and other security organs especially the police. In recent times, there has been clash of egos between the pair with the police at times crying about the excessive power that the spy unit is displaying. The DIS has been accused many times of overriding other security organs to the extent of overshadowing their core roles.

Now, one may wonder what it really means for someone of such a rank as Commissioner to fall prey to the same unit they have been complaining about in their line of duty. Quite clearly, this is a humiliation that has not only been felt by the individual but the law enforcement and the nation as a whole.

As a nation that has prided itself of having the best police force in Africa and having ranked higher even in the world to going down under a single act of taking one of its top officer into custody, is quite humiliation. The arrest of Makgophe is such an embarrassing act displayed by the State and it has created such a confusing time for the nation.

To make matters worse, the government has not made an official statement to assure the nation not to panic. How does one detain the highest law enforcement officer and remain mute? Don’t the citizens deserve to know what is going on? When there are other arrests or detainment of civilians, there is often official statements, why is this one different?

Makgophe has been held by the DIS since Monday and it remains to be seen if he will survive the humiliation. On the other hand, the police will surely be battling with thoughts of how safe they are if one of their own could be mishandled by the DIS. Indeed these are scary times for the country and by the look of things, it’s only the beginning. All that can be said is we better brace ourselves for hard times.