08 Jun 2016

Government is considering to review some laws to fight crime, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has said.

Briefing the media at the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) monthly press briefing, Tuesday, he said government was concerned that in some cases, offences were either committed by people who were previously convicted of other serious offences or those released on bail.

He said government had sought to address this by amending the law to provide that persons accused of certain crimes such as sexual offences against women and children shall not be eligible for bail pending trial.

“However, the courts have struck this down as being unconstitutional,” he said. Mr Kgathi, who is also BDP deputy secretary general, said in 2014, 2015 and 2016 a total of 90, 114 and 126 murder cases were reported respectively. 

He said in armed robbery 528, 480 and 387 cases were reported in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.The police also registered 717, 771 and 671 rape cases and 133, 157, 184 defilement cases in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.

“On the basis of that as the minister responsible for justice and security I have sought authority from cabinet looking at the increasing levels of crime to consider reviewing some laws,” he said.

He said cabinet had decided reviewing the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, the Children's Act and the Constitution in order to address the increasing levels of crime against women and the girl child among others.

He said details of these planned interventions would be provided as soon as necessary processes have been concluded.

On other issues, Mr Kgathi said his party condemned recent utterances by Leader of Opposition (LOO), Mr Duma Boko for reportedly saying members of the public should attack the police.

He said it was unacceptable for LOO to incite violence, adding that this did not auger well for the maintenance of law and order.

“We therefore call on honourable Duma Boko to retract the said utterances and also apologise to not only the nation, but also the thousands of men and women in the Botswana Police Service,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BDP secretary general, Mr Botsalo Ntuane said the party was working towards recapturing the Kelemogile Ward in the upcoming bye-election in Ramotswa.

He said local structures in the branch and ward have chosen a consensus candidate, Mr Best Mosadi to represent the party and that the date for his launch would be announced soon.

On other issues, he said the party note with pride the introduction of the Test and Treat All for HIV Prevention initiative campaign launched by President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama last Friday.

“This is a welcome development in our battle to reduce mortality and infection rates for HIV/AIDS. Once again the government under BDP is proving to be a pioneer in this particular health sector,” he said.

Mr Ntuane also said BDP will hold the second extra ordinary congress after Mmadinare, scheduled for July in Gaborone, underlining the party's commitment to placing BDP in an unassailable position to take Botswana forward in 2019 and beyond.

Chairperson of BDP's BOT50 celebrations, Mr Fidelis Molao said the party had resolved to organise its own celebrations to recognise its fundamental role in the formation and remarkable socio economic transformation of the country.ENDS