11 May 2020

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has expressed regret at reports of sexual defilement of a minor in Nata, allegedly involving a community leader.

In a press statement from the BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi, the BDP is dismayed that, 'despite extensive education and awareness campaigns by the government, civic society groups and the BDP, we still get reports of sexual crimes against minors. The party holds sacrosanct the rights of the girl child as enshrined in the Children’s Act of 2009 and condemns all forms of sexual violation.”

The media release says the BDP pledged in its 2019 manifesto to strengthen laws against sex offenders and to implement a sex offenders and paedophile register for public scrutiny as a deterrent to repeat offenders. “We remain committed to deliver on our manifesto promises and to uphold social protection of the vulnerable sections of our society, specifically the girl child. To this end, we pray for strict penalties against perpetrators of sexual offences,” says the BDP.

Therefore, BDP calls on law enforcement authorities to treat all reports with deserved expediency while observing the delicate balances of the cardinal principles of equality of all before the law and presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

The party expresses confidence in the judiciary and the investigating authorities and remains assured that justice shall prevail. We applaud all sections of society which are committed to uprooting the vices and pestilence of sexual violations in its many forms from our societies. "#ESengMoNgwaneng". Ends