13 Jul 2017

Several MPs have voiced their support to the bill that seeks to amend the Prisons Act. 

Contributing to the debate following the presentation of the proposed amendments by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi in Parliament on Wednesday, the MPs said the move to amend the Act was long overdue. 

Chobe MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni said in comparison with other security institutions, the Botswana Prison Service has been neglected. 

He said the dissimilar treatment rendered to the prisons service was a cause for concern. He added that like their counterparts in the Botswana Defence Force and Botswana Police Service, they  carried a security-related mandate. 

Mr Shamukuni hailed the introduction of a clause that permits an officer due for dismissal an opportunity to make a representation as to why they should not be dismissed. 

He said the clause would bring fairness to the dismissal process, adding that natural justice also called for one to be given a chance to present reasons against their impending dismissal. 

MP Wynter Mmolotsi of Francistown South also supported   the amendment, saying the prison service had been treated unfairly compared to their sister departments in the security sector. 

This, he said, was despite the critical role they played in society. 

On the proposed appointment of the Commissioner of Prisons by the President, Mr Mmolotsi said the move would not be worth it if it did not come with benefits as well as responsibilities. 

He said if the commissioner would receive a salary lower than that of commissioners of the BDF and the police, having been appointed by the President would not serve any purpose. 

He emphasised the need to ensure that the provision for the deputy commissioner to be appointed by the Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP) in consultation with the commissioner was adhered to. 

He said in the past whenever there had to be consultation prior to some appointments being made, the consultation process was only paid lip-service to. 

Gaborone/Bonnington South MP, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe also supported the bill. 

He said any country that hoped to achieve its ideals had to build strong institutions, adding that the bill was a good step towards building a strong security institution.

He argued that building a strong security institution entailed empowering the entity through giving it a supportive budget, wider decision making rights as well as greater autonomy to effectively pursue its mandate. 

Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraele Goya said it was crucial for the law to prescribe the crimes for which a convict could be allowed to do extra-mural service. 

The MP said since the country was not food secure, the government should consider prisoner labour to help produce food while on extra-mural duties. 

Mr Goya also expressed concern at the pegging of the retirement age for some ranks in the prison service at 50. 

He said prisoners were sophisticated and needed experienced officers to deal with them, adding that the retirement age should be raised because  officers older than 50 would have amassed skills, knowledge and experience necessary to effectively manage prisoners. 

The MP for Gabane/Mmankgodi Major General Pius Mokgware said the amendments were a good proposition. 

However, he also decried the unfair treatment that he said had been meted to the prison service for years. ENDs