13 Nov 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has informed Parliament that adherence to the rule of law remains a cornerstone to Botswana’s development.

Delivering the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) today (November 13), he said it was encouraging to see independent comparative surveys and domestic polling consistently placing Botswana among the best in the world in terms of upholding the rule of law while ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.

He said such surveys include the 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, the World Justice Project’s 2014 Rule of Law Index, the 2014 Global Peace Index, and the 2013 Global Democracy Index, are among those which gave Botswana high marks.

In light of such reputable findings it is unfortunate to say the least that some individuals, working through foreign as well as domestic media, including rumour mongering on social media, have attempted to instill the perception of Batswana living in fear.

This is an apparent effort to undermine this country’s longstanding shared record of peace, order and good governance,” said President Khama.

He encouraged the nation to reject such disinformation, saying all citizens, residents and potential visitors to Botswana can be confident that government will continue to abide by the rule of law.

Lt. Gen. Khama said as was most recently demonstrated in the judgment of the High Court and the Court of Appeal on the constitutionality of the Standing Orders of Parliament, Botswana’s judiciary continues to independently and effectively deliver its mandate without fear or favour.

He said the government will always respects decisions of the Courts and encourages all citizens to do the same.<br />He said government would not allow past achievement and international accolades to breed complacency.

“We realise that here as elsewhere, criminal activity is constantly evolving and increasingly sophisticated. We therefore remain determined to pursue a zero tolerance approach to all forms of criminal activity, including corruption,” he explained.

Focusing on crime, President Khama said crime, excluding road traffic violations, rose by 4.7 per cent in 2013.

However, he said the country registered significant reductions in respect of violent and intrusive crimes, which includes burglary, store breaking, robbery, house breaking, threats to kill, murder, rape motor vehicle and stock theft. He said such crimes declined by 15.4 per cent.

Concerning road traffic offences, he said they rose by 32.4 per cent, with reckless driving aggravated by driving under the influence of alcohol. ENDS