22 May 2017

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has given an update of the impending new laws, which are to be presented to Parliament in the July session with the aim to address crime in the country.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Leshibitse , Mr Kgathi said they have realised that there was need for crime to be addressed through the tightening of laws and stiffening of sentences, which would help deter criminals from engaging in crime.

He said stock theft continued to be worrisome across the country and must be addressed as the thieves denied Batswana the right to enjoy their wealth.

Minister Kgathi said Stock Theft Act was being amended by stiffening the sentences.

He said those who steal and were caught, together with the vehicles they use would be confiscated to be an exhibit during the case.

He asked residents to report those who stole livestock to help the police address the problem and bring the culprits to  book. Police Act, he said, was also being amended to improve the police officers’ conditions of service.

He also informed the residents about the amendment of Penal Code.

He gave an example of raising the age of defilement to 18 years to protect the girl child because 18-year-olds are still young.

Minister Kgathi encouraged parents to guide their children well by parenting them in a way that fashion them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Also being amended is the Arms and Ammunition Act so that those who own guns may be compelled to register them with the police for the purpose of traceability.

Mr Kgathi the Cyber Crime and Computer related crimes Bill was being drafted and would present to Parliament in the next sitting.

He said the authorities were worried by the use of cell phones and computers by those who wanted to steal other people’s valuables and money through false pretences.

The minister said those who used social media to disclose confidential and personal information would be brought to justice.

Mr Kgathi said the law would also help arrest those who bully and insult others on social media as section 18 of the draft Bill reads, ‘A persown who willfully, maliciously, or repeatedly uses electronic communication of an offensive nature to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quiet or privacy of any person with no purpose to legitimate communication, whether or not a conversation ensues, commits an offence and is liable to a charge not exceeding P20 000.”

He said he wanted to increase the fine because the amount was too little as many people continued to insult others.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi George Thwane said his people continued to be troubled by stock theft in their area, but what was worrying most was that the cases were taken to higher courts instead of the customary court.

He said it took long for the cases to be addressed and that delayed the dispensation of justice, expressing belief that dikgosi had the authority and capacity to attend to such cases more so that it agrieved the victims.

Kgosi Thwane asked the minister to increase resources for the police in their area so that they could arrest the thieves.

He added that it was sad to report a case to the police only for them not to attend to it due to lack of transport.

In her village development committee report, the chairperson, Ms Boitumelo Seloiso asked the minister for them to be policed from Dibete police as it used to be the case instead of Mochudi, which is far from them.

In his response, the minister  said plans were already in place for them to be served nearer, but the only challenge was the issue of Dibete office, which he said needs attention.

Residents applauded the minister for tightening the laws as they would help curb crime and one of the residents, Mr Seboneng Seilane said he was happy with stock theft act as they had suffered loss of their livestock and now the culprits would face stiffer penalties.In his closing remarks, Kgatleng District Council chairperson, Mr Mpho Morolong said they had a good working relationship with the police in Mochudi, but he requested that lack of accommodation for the officers be addressed. ENDS