01 Aug 2017

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has hailed Botswana Defence Force personnel for developing into a competent, erudite and well-disciplined force over the years.

Debating the Botswana Defence Force Amendment Bill tabled by Selebi Phikwe West Member of Parliament, Mr  Dithapelo Keorapetse, Minister Kgathi said the BDF has over the years demonstrated high levels of discipline and had served and represented the country well during their peace keeping missions  around Africa.

He said the BDF personnel understood what was expected of them and had always adhered to rules and regulations that defined their lines of duty.

 Minister Kgathi added that the fact that the BDF had never attempted any coup d’ tat since the post-independence era was a testimony of how disciplined BDF was.

He commended the BDF for their dedication in serving the nation under difficult times and conditions, and added that government would forever strive to improve the BDF, Botswana Police Service and Botswana Prison Services working conditions.

Minister Kgathi also noted that the BDF was among a few armed forces in the world that do not subscribe or affiliate to any political alliance or workers union movement.

He said there had been low cases of interdiction with only 55 cases reported with the majority of those cases in the civil courts of laws.

Minister Kgathi added that it was lawful and appropriate for soldiers who were suspended either because of internal military disciplinary proceedings or criminal charges in the civil courts to have a portion of their earnings withdrawn for the suspension period pending investigations since the BDF did not condone indiscipline.

He said government would never reward indiscipline in the armed forces by fully awarding the suspended or investigated officers.

Minister Kgathi objected to the proposed amendment of the BDF bill, saying it might evoke political motive within the army and incite the army under the wrong pretence.

Ghanzi North MP, Mr Noah Salakae argued that the BDF needed to observe the presumption of innocent till proven guilty and refrain from paying soldiers who were indicted only a portion of their emoluments before found guilty by the court of laws.

He said in order to achieve the intended objective of upholding a presumption of innocent until proven otherwise and to avert the injustice suffered by army men and women, it was important for the current BDF bill to be amended.ENDS