22 Mar 2016

A total of 13 prisoners are incarcerated at President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s pleasure, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, has said.

Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, Mr Kgathi said the 13 had been in prison for periods ranging between five and 22 years for various offences such as; arson, unlawful wounding, rape, murder and manslaughter.

Prisoners held at the President’s pleasure, he said, were assessed at least once a year by the Mental Health Board, which was appointed by the President mainly for that purpose.

Apart from the assessments by the Mental Health Board, he said the detainees were enrolled at various psychiatric clinics for periodic checkups.

The conditions in prisons were up to acceptable international standards and there had been only one death of a detainee held at the President’s pleasure which occurred in January 2015.

It was determined to have been due to natural causes 

Between 2013 and 2016, he said, 12 prisoners held at the President’s pleasure were released from custody into the care of their families on the orders of President Khama. 

A number of factors, the minister said, were considered in the release of this category of prisoners, adding that, “for example, response to treatment and commitment to continue with the same and the recommendation of the medical board and/or social workers.” 

The minister said, “the report of the social worker is critical as it indicates the reaction of the victim and his or her family and the family of the concerned prisoner.”

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked Mr Kgathi to state the number of prisoners incarcerated at the President’s pleasure; how long they had been imprisoned and what their offences were.

He also wanted to know how often they had been assessed to ascertain their state of mind; how many had died in prison or mental institutions and how many had been released. Ends