Global articles on espionage, spying, bugs, and other interesting topics.

So our phones are tapped after all

The private press in this country has always been criticised for a number of perceived misdemeanours.

Prominent critics of the local media, a majority of whom are in the current government usually claim the private press is hell-bent on portraying the country in a bad light. Our critics say we are not patriotic because we tend to concentrate on ‘negative’ news. We are said to be paranoid and spreading that paranoia to the rest of the nation.
However, we have not been apologetic about our specific role, as a watchdog in this country. Since the advent of the Khama presidency, media reports have shown a worrying pattern of a public under siege. Citizens of this country have complained of an intrusive security apparatus that seeks to clandestinely monitor them. We have carried these stories. We have championed the cause of civil liberties in this country.  Everyone from individuals to politicians across the political divide have expressed this concern.
We know that there are legal avenues that have to be taken by security institutions in case they need to place a suspect under surveillance. It is a well-laid out procedure. Officers have to go to court to apply for permission.
They have to explain to a judge why they have to be given permission to violate the rights of a targeted individual.  Members of Parliament, following rising public outrage at the increasing illegal tapping of phones, sought to get answers from Ramadeluka Seretse when he was minister in charge of security.  Both Seretse and even President Ian Khama always argue that Batswana, who think they are under surveillance by intelligence operatives are paranoid.
As far as Khama and Seretse are concerned, there is no illegal tapping of phones by law enforcement officers. We in the media, with a much more accurate check on the pulse of public concerns, knew better.  Early this week, a court heard testimony about government’s attempts to buy phone-tapping equipment. It has been alleged the police sought to clandestinely eavesdrop on peoples’ communication through mobile phones using the equipment. So Batswana were right all along? We want to urge those in leadership positions to attempt as much as they can to be as honest to the public as possible. After all they are nothing but servants of the public who put them in those positions in the first place.