03 Aug 2017

Members of  Parliament have reacted differently towards the second reading of the Botswana Police Service (BPS) Amendment Bill presented by MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse which called for the amendment of the police act to address certain defects.

Contributing to the debate, Ghanzi North MP, Mr Noah Salakae supported the amendment  bill, saying the current Police Act promoted slavery as it denied the police to collectively bargain with the employer.

Mr Salakae said police officers worked under appalling conditions and lacked resources such as vehicles, staff accommodation and office space despite their dedication on ensuring public order.

He argued that it was time for  Parliament  to assess all the laws, including delegated legislation, policies and other matters concerning the police services with the view to improve their welfare and social wellbeing.

 Mr Salakae said although the police service was  guided by the Police Act, police officers were also public servants, and that they should also enjoy other benefits rendered to public servants.

He said the Public Service Act of 2008, which took effect in 2010, stated that civil servants who were indicted were paid full salary and not a portion of their emoluments.  

The Public Service Act, he said, stipulated that an employee’s salary shall not be withheld during the period of his suspension, but that police officers were left out by not accordingly amending the laws regulating their employment by the time of the public service amendment.

Gaborone Central MP, Dr Phenyo Butale also supported the amendment  bill, stating that the current police act had many shortcomings that could demotivate the police service.

He said it was cruel for police officers on suspension either because of internal disciplinary proceedings or criminal charges in the civil courts of laws to have a portion of their earnings during a period of suspension or indictment withdrawn.

 He said the police service already falls within the lowest paid service bracket in the country, and that withholding part of their monthly earnings when on interdiction only derived them to the deep end of poverty and debts. He cautioned that turning a blind eye on amending the Police Act might have serious consequences like jeopardising national safety and security.

The Minister of Defence, Safety and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi objected to the amendment bill, highlighting that the current Police Act had no loop hole and had contributed in heightening safety and security in the country.

Mr Kgathi said only 60 police officers were currently on interdiction, and he credited the current Police Act on keeping the police service disciplined. ENDS