Break-in at INK offices
12 March 2018The INK Centre for Investigative Journalism office was broken into on Saturday night, two days after plain clothed officers informed its journalist that they will be called in for questioning over a leaked intelligence report claiming that the intelligence service has been carrying out an operation intended to disrupt the opposition ahead of 2019 election. […]
The INK Centre for Investigative Journalism office was broken into on Saturday night, two days after plain clothed officers informed its journalist that they will be called in for questioning over a leaked intelligence report claiming that the intelligence service has been carrying out an operation intended to disrupt the opposition ahead of 2019 election. The intruder appeared to have gained access to the office through a window. INK is yet to establish if there are any missing documents. The intruder broke a steel file cabinet, which contained valuables including laptops but did not take them away.
The incident comes two days after two men identified themselves as police officers from head office instructed Managing Partner, Joel Konopo to appear before Assistant Police Commissioner, Mokuedi Mphathi on Tuesday in connection with the report known locally as Tholwana Borethe.
The report claimed that a team has been set up by the Directorate on Intelligence Services (DIS) to weaken the opposition. Editors of four major publications in Botswana were called last year by Commissioner Mphathi in connection with the report. INK, the Sunday Standard, Botswana Guardian, Business Weekly and Review and Botswana Gazette may be charged under the Alarming Publications Act, which prohibits the publication of material that may create panic or disturb public peace, according to the Act. This follows complaint by opposition Botswana Congress Party president, Dumelang Saleshando that publication of the “Tholwana Borethe” report by the newspapers caused panic, which contravenes the Alarming Publications Act. Gaborone West Police said they are investigating the matter.
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