29 Aug 2018

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is dismayed at the distorted report by Neo Masanako on the Midweek Sun Newspaper of August 22, in the article titled ‘BDF soldiers denied sex’.
As much as the BDF appreciates press liberties, it proportionately expects media houses to practice ethical reporting and seek to balance stories before publication.
Through admission by the writer, the BDF insisted that the reporter furnish it with an enquiry either through email or fax to accord it the right of reply, and that was to no avail.
Instead, what was published was overly sensationalised and distorted statements, which hinged primarily on assertions that ‘soldiers are being starved of sex’.
The BDF, which is obliged by law to provide accommodation to its members has through various forums highlighted that it experiences accommodation challenges like all other organisations and this has a bearing on its operational readiness.
The BDF wishes to reiterate that despite the accommodation deficit, its members are accommodated in open plan barracks, single and married quarters.
Further to address this matter, the BDF continues to lease houses in the private market for some of its members.
Consequently, prolonged accommodation of non-eligible members of the public in military barracks would no doubt compound the already strained resources.
The BDF wishes to inform the public that in accordance with the existing statuses under Laws of Botswana, Volume III Chapters 22:01 in particular, the Protected Places and Areas Act, BDF camps fall within the schedule of those protected areas.
It is based on foregoing that permission has to be sort and be granted to be in BDF camps and that persons shall, while acting under such permission, comply with such directions regulating their conduct.
It is for this reason that the BDF regards the article as overly inflammatory and intentionally misleading and the public is urged to treat it as such. ENDS