30 Jul 2014

Parliament has been presented with a bill that seeks to prevent and combat acts of terrorism including financing of terrorism and the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Analysis and Fusion Agency.

The Bill which passed its second reading on the afterno of July 29, was presented to the House by the Minister of Justice, Defence and Security Mr Ramadeluka Seretse.

Mr Seretse said the counter terrorism legislation would among others assist the country to develop and implement a national counter terrorism strategy and national action plan.

“The implementation of this legislation will be interrelated to other security legislation such as the Anti-Human Trafficking Bill, Chemical Weapons Prohibition Bill and Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Bill, which have already been passed in the current sitting of this Parliament.

The Bill also has inter-linkages with many other security pieces of legislation that are in existence,” he stated.

Minister Seretse told the House that Botswana fully abided by the obligation of all the Anti-Terrorism Conventions that she has ratified particularly the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1371 (2001) which mandates all members states to legislate and establish effective structures to combat terrorism and financing terrorism.

When debating the Bill the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Mr Kenneth Matambo said the piece of legislature was important to spell out Botswana’s position on terrorism especially money laundering and financing terrorism.

He said we are living in a global village and we must be seen to be undertaking efforts to combat crime.

Mahalapye East MP Ms Botlogile Tshireletso warned that the legislation had to be enacted hastily as most countries that are experiencing acts of terror were once peaceful like Botswana is today. She said it was a vital piece of legislation that deserved all the urgency it deserved.

Kgatleng East MP Mr Isaac Mabiletsa supported the minister and said the Bill was a welcome development. He was only worried that the minister was bringing the matter to Parliament late. Mr Mabiletsa said terrorism was not a new phenomenon and said Botswana was amongst the lucky states not to have felt the pangs of the illicit act.

Selebi Phikwe West MP Mr Gilson Saleshando said acts of terrorism were common amongst one-party states in Africa. He said interpretation of such pieces of laws could vary depending on those who implement them. ENDS