24 Mar 2014

Inmates at Kasane Prisons have pleaded with President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama to pardon them.

Speaking during the President's visit, prisoners pleaded for clemency and showed remorse. They said they had learnt their lessons and promised to be better citizens if their sentences were reduced. 

One inmate, Thatayaone Molefi said he had served eight years and had one more year to go. He pleaded for a presidential pardon. 

Ookeditse Tamocha, another inmate, said most of the prisoners in Kasane were young and below 25 years, adding that there were no rehabilitation programmes that could help them earn a living when they leave prison.

“Toronko e mpabaletse, ke ikutwetse. Re beile fela mo go wena gore o re utwele botlhoko,” said Jonas Honka, adding that he had also been cooperative throughout his stay in jail.

While Mothusi Friday also requested for a presidential pardon, he decried the shortage of prisoners’ attire, saying they were forced to wear their own clothes. Other issues raised included dilapidated toilets and poor living conditions. 

In response, President Khama appreciated the prisoners’ concerns and explained that renovations of the facility had already started. 

In his walkabout earlier on, President Khama handed out football kits to various social clubs around Kasane. He also met Mr Abel Ntukwa who said he was an orphan living on piece jobs. He said he had fields that might be re-possessed in April by the land board if he fails to plough them. 

However, President Khama encouraged him to rent out the land to other people who might be interested in it. President Khama concluded his day by having dinner with the elderly at the Kazungula kgotla. Ends