SECTOR 1 This atmosphere of fear is prompted by the lack of clarity on the part of the state regarding the mandate of the DIS. The Act that established the DIS was passed in 2008 but only became operational in 2010 and people believe that it was specifically set up not to defend the state against threats to its national security, as the case usually is in a democracy, but to spy on citizens, as ordinary people are continuously being harassed by DIS officers. “There was one lady from the public who simply expressed her opinion on radio on my show. She is not allowed anywhere near the Molepolole police station because of that. She lives in fear and her phones are tapped. Almost every 2 weeks there is a break-in; it’s just dramatic for her. “Another presenter has had his house broken into a couple of times. It was around 4am which is when he is already up as we get ready to go to work around this time. Documents were taken and later on they were brought back.” A case that is well known in Botswana is that of the man who sued the DIS for his alleged arrest, detention, interrogation and harassment.1 In April this year, Philip Tlhage was in a supermarket purchasing groceries. As he perused the headline of the newspaper about the President being scratched by a cheetah, he made a remark about how the cheetah should have finished him off. He was arrested by the DIS later that day.2 Tlhage was awarded over P2.9 million in claims against the DIS for unlawful arrest, detention and torture. The final judgment was made after the DIS failed to defend the suit. “The DIS does not know what they are supposed to be doing. The government is growing really uncomfortable and seems to be losing the trust of the citizens and is trying by all means to protect itself. In doing so, most of the time they use the DIS. The reason why journalists would be attacked in their homes is probably because they make government unpopular to the citizens.” A number of reporters leave the media environment because they are being followed and threatened. Their families are being threatened and many of the female journalists, especially interns, are being told to “go and do make-up.” “We are a small nation, so there is a relative or a cousin or friend who works for one institution or another. This DIS ghost haunts all of us. Even the ordinary person will not talk unless phones are switched off. It’s become a general thing where even big guys will only talk if you switch off your phone, put it away and go a certain distance away. Even judges will tell you they constantly change numbers.” “At some point the trade union members were told to get Blackberry’s because they are not easy to track.” 1 2 14 http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=45632#sthash.bWnIpVhb.dpuf http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=45632#sthash.bWnIpVhb.dpuf AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014