07 Jun 2015

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has commended Machaneng Prison staff for their vigilance as no single escapee had been registered in that facility.

Addressing the Machaneng Prison staff recently, Mr Kgathi said it shows that the officers were alert and aware of the sensitivity of their working environment.  

He said the safety of the Machaneng Prison staff as well as the inmates depends on their ability to maintain such high level of vigilance.

Mr Kgathi said if the Machaneng Prison staff is true to the values of the Botswana Prison Service and apply them to every task, their performance will improve significantly.

He said that when an organisation develops a vision, mission and values, it does so having gone through a process of reflection, introspection and goal setting.

Mr Kgathi urged the Machaneng Prison staff to revisit their set service standard and apply professionalism at all times. “Where there are incidents of prisoner escapes and other breaches in security, you will often find that professionalism was lacking,” he said.

He said he was aware that prisoners in some prisons were able to smuggle in mobile phones, cigarettes and even drugs and the Machaneng Prison staff should guard against such.

He cautioned the Machaneng Prison staff that such security breaches could quickly manifest into life or death situations. He pleaded with the staff to make sure that they adopt a zero tolerance to corruption because the vice is degenerative to the economy and society as a whole.

Mr Kgathi said he was happy that many of the employees of Botswana Prisons are interested in training opportunities and he requested the prison leadership to attend to the matter. He urged the staff to enroll privately in institutions of higher learning and upgrade themselves because by so doing they would make themselves more valuable to the public service

He said the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, Security and Government Assurances has assured him of its support and willingness to improve the Botswana Prisons staff condition of service.

 “Their support will make my job easier when I finally go before Parliament to request funds,” he said.

Mr Kgathi pleaded with the prison staff to be patient with the processes and procedures, which are necessary for their requests to be met. ENDS