07 Dec 2015

The withdrawal of violence cases involving children is a concern, says Maun Station Commander, Superintendent Peter Gochela

Speaking during a campaign against gender based violence in Maun recently Supt Gochela said parents, especially of minors often plead for the withdrawals of cases involving their children disregarding children’s rights in the process.

He also said parents have tendencies of reconciling with the perpetrators even in serious cases such as rape, defilement, indecent assault and threat to kill.

Sup. Gochela said in such cases, the minors would have been sexually abused by their, relatives, step fathers and or some passer-by who are expected to be responsible enough to take care of the children.

He said the law does not allow such withdrawals as it is a violation of the rights of juveniles abused by those offenders.

He said that from January to October this year in cases involving gender violence on women and children, they recorded 80 cases of rape, 277 assaults, 16 of defilement, 13 threats to kill and 3 murder cases in his station.

He said some of these offences are mainly caused by jealousy from men.
Sup. Gochela said section 6 of Botswana Police Act is to maintain peace, protect life and property. He said people should have no fear to confront police to seek advice.

He also noted that they have trained police officers to handle gender based violent cases, advising victims to seek help from them as well as other stakeholders. ENDS