27 Sep 2016

Heads of states and governments as well as representatives from a number of countries among them United Kingdom are expected to jet into the country for Botswana’s independence celebrations. The country celebrates 50 years of self rule from Britain on September 30.
As a way to celebrate the day, President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama yesterday granted amnesty to 580 prisoners.
Speaking during a visit to Gaborone Prison yesterday, President Khama said he was giving the prisoners a chance to celebrate independence with their families.
The President however informed the prisoners that they should make sure that they did not get back to prison for any offence, especially that they had been rehabilitated and encouraged them to turn a new leaf in life.
The lucky ones include, but not exclusive to 29 of first time offenders, those who were serving short time and a batch of 366 who were already on the extra mural programme.
He warned that if they commit any offence they would be forced to carry on from the prison sentence they were pardoned from together with the new sentence.
He also mentioned that he would release yet another batch half way of their sentence next year.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that not everyone would be remitted, adding that prisoners who were convicted of dangerous drunken driving, dealing in hard drugs and manslaughter would not be considered.
For her part, Attorney General Dr Atalia Molokomme explained that those who had committed serious offence such as attempted murder, rape, dangerous, drunken and reckless driving, dealing in dangerous drugs, arson, manslaughter, diamond dealing, among others, were not forgiven.
She also listed money laundering, poaching, robbery, and terrorism, former prison escapees among offences that could not be remitted.
She also said for those who still had a pending case, remission would not apply.
On behalf of those to be released, Mr Akofang Gaboitsiwe thanked the President, saying indeed he had proven to be a compassionate and caring individual.
“Indeed it shows that you read the Bible,” he stressed.
Mr Gaboitsiwe said it was a great feeling to be released home and urged his peers to make sure that they did not get back to prison for any offence.
“Let us not let the President down,” he urged them.
For his part, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi commended the President’s gesture, describing President Khama as one with “so merciful a heart that he was considerate in releasing the offenders to be with their families.”
He said the move brought a sigh of relief to the prison service in their quest to de-congest the prison facilities, expressing satisfaction that indeed the prisoners had been rehabilitated.
He urged them to take advantage of government programmes that were meant to lift Batswana out of poverty. ENDS