03 Aug 2016

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Shaw Kgathi says his ministry is not aware of complaints by Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police and Prisons Service junior officers that promotions are made on the basis of favouritism.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Mr Kgathi said that the criteria for promotion in the three organisations is set out in the BDF Act Cap 21:05, Botswana Police Act Cap 21:01 and the Botswana Prisons Services act Cap 21:03.

He said according to the above statutes, what pertains is that BDF junior officers refers to officers holding the rank of Second Lieutenant to Captain and their progression is in accordance with Regulation 10 of BDF Act Cap 21:05 . He said for  an officer to progress from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant there is a waiting period of two years from Lieutenant to Captain is  also two years while  from Captain to Major is three years.

Mr Kgathi said all these are dependent on the availability of suitable vacancies adding that the commander may if he considers it in the interest of the Force vary these provisions.

Regarding the  Botswana Police Service, he said, promotions are in accordance with Regulations 4 of the Police Act Cap 21:01 which  states that no officer serving on probation shall be promoted.

He said probationary service for Botswana Police officers is two years and is dependent on availability of suitable vacancies.

As for Prisons Service, Minister Kgathi said promotion of officers is done in accordance with Section 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the Prisons Act  which states that  an officer  can be promoted after  completion of two years  probation. 

He said in the disciplined forces/services, promotion is preceded by proficiency tests and it is based on merit, satisfactory performance and disciplinary standards.

Member of Parliament for Francistown East Mr Buti Billy had asked the minister if he is aware that there are complaints at the Botswana Defence Force, Police and Prisons Services by the junior officers that promotions are made on the basis of favoritism. BOPA