21 Mar 2013

The country’s security organs continue to carry out their duties exceptionally well, despite resource constraints, Moshupa MP, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

Mr Masisi, who is the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration commended the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) saying their contribution to various activities and issues of national interest was outstanding.

 He cited the BDF’s involvement in disaster management and poverty eradication activities as highly commendable.

Mr Masisi was contributing to the debate on the 2013/2014 budget proposals for the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security in Parliament on March 20.

On a slightly different matter, he called on sensitivity and a sense of responsibility by members of the press when reporting on issues relating to security organs.

He said recent media reports and allegations of unbecoming conduct during youth boot camps relating to the army were disturbing,  adding that though there may be elements with undesirable behaviour in the army, it was unnecessary to generalise and paint the entire army with the same brush.

On a positive note, he lauded the staff at the Moshupa Boys Prison for carrying out their duties with great degree of diligence.

For her part, specially-elected MP, Dr Gloria Somolekae applauded the police for moving swiftly to address incidents of threat-to-kill.

However, Dr Somolekae, also the Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, observed that there was a possibility of victimisation of men hence the need for investigators to be diligent when handling such cases.

On gender-based violence and defilement cases, she wanted to know the preventative measures that the police had in place to address them.

On the allegations of human rights abuses against the Basarwa residing in the CKGR raised by Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Gilson Saleshando during his presentation on the budget proposal, Dr Somolekae implored the minister to follow-up the matter and give it the seriousness it deserved.

She said with the country marching towards building a just and caring nation, it was disturbing to learn that some people in the country were at risk of not enjoying the same rights and treatment accorded to fellow citizens.

Dr Somolekae observed that with the Basarwa having been sidelined from way back, it would not be surprising for some people to be dismissive of the allegations.  ENDS