06 Nov 2016

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi says Section 53 of the Constitution conferred on the President the power to grant a pardon to any person convicted of any offence.

“In exercising his discretionary power, the President considers the report by the Commissioner of Prisons and Rehabilitation regarding the rehabilitation, conduct and behavior of a candidate”, he said.

He further said in this context, since April 2008 to date, the President had pardoned 13 prisoners. In 2010, 10 prisoners were pardoned and in 2012 three were pardoned, adding that the 13 prisoners had committed murder, manslaughter, robbery and armed robbery.

He said prior to April 2008, two prisoners were granted a pardon in 2000 for murder and also in 2005 for contempt of court.

He explained that the 13 prisoners were granted a pardon in 2000 for murder and also in 2005 for contempt of court.

Minister Kgathi was responding to a questions asked by Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse who wanted to know the number of convicted criminals who have been pardoned by the President since April 2008 to date, the offences these persons had committed, the reasons for the pardon and whether there has been pardoning of prisoners serving prison sentences prior to April 2008, if so, to state the number, nature of offences and dates of pardons. ENDS