20 Jul 2017

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has expressed regret and disappointment at the incidents of violence and destruction to government and private property as well as injuries to some individuals at the Botswana Movement for Democracy congress over the President’s Day weekend.

Presenting a statement to Parliament regarding the BMD congress violence, Minister Kgathi condemned some BMD supporters behaviour, saying the behaviour was a sharp deviation from the culture of tolerance that Batswana were renowned for globally.

He said “it was regrettable, unfortunate and unacceptable that an organisation that should provide mediation and leadership failed the test of integrity and responsibility.”

The violence that transpired at the BMD congress, he said, had the potential to degenerate the country into a state of anarchy and political hooliganism hence the need to be fully  condemned by all peace loving Batswana.

When quizzed on the status of the injured and the value of the vandalised goods, Minister Kgathi said four people were injured with two hospitalised while two were treated and discharged the same day.

He, however, highlighted that the Ministry of Basic Education and Skill Development was yet to assess the value of the vandalised property at Matshekge Senior Secondary School.

Minister Kgathi further applauded Botswana Police Service for acting swiftly and demonstrating high levels of professionalism in dealing with such a tense and unpredictable situation.

“The Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security was obligated to ensure that the public and all public institutions and property were safe as mandated by the law, therefore, police officers were quickly deployed to the scene following assessment of the situation,” he said.

He reassured the public that his ministry placed priority on the safety and security of all citizens, and that it would continue to do so in all circumstances that called for proactive intervention without fear or favour.

He pleaded with all political leaders across all political divide to give appropriate guidance on the manner in which they handled any complex situations and adhered to the Setswana adage that Ntwa kgolo keya molomo. ENDS