01 Mar 2017

Three commissioned and 15 non-commissioned Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officers have been court marshalled since April 2008.

Answering a question in Parliament recently, Defence, Justice and Security minister, Mr Shaw Kgathi said one officer was charged with forgery, seven with stealing, four desertion, five with conduct prejudice to order and military discipline, and one with failing to comply with orders.

Mr Kgathi said eight officers were convicted, while one was acquitted and nine cases have been pending before court Marshall from January 23 to February 28, 2017, adding all the cases were currently at different stages of trial.

He added that six officers were sentenced to imprisonment after conviction, while five were sentenced to six months imprisonment while some were sentenced to twenty one days imprisonment.

“None of those court marshalled were dishonourably discharges,” he said.

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to state the number of BDF commissioned and non-commissioned officers who had been court-marshalled since April 2008.

Mr Keorapetse also wanted to know the alleged offences, the number of acquittals and convictions, the number of imprisonments after convictions and the number of dishonourable discharges after convictions. ENDS