05 May 2019

Member of Parliament for Serowe North Mr Kgotla Autlwetse has supported his electorate’s appeals to have suspects of serious crimes denied bail especially if they are repeat offenders.

Responding to calls by his constituents for the review of the penal laws so that suspects in murder cases, rape, and armed robbery be denied bail until their cases have been finalised, Mr Autlwetse agreed that the concerns cut across the whole nation.

Farmers at Sajwe and Khumanego ploughing lands appealed to their area MP to caucus with his fellow MPs to wage war against rape, murder, and armed robbery.

The farmers argued that the laws, especially of murder resulting from ‘passion killings’ needed to be tightened.

Their calls were anchored on their findings that suspects seem to enjoy rights at the expense of the wronged.

Chairperson of Sajwe Farmers Association Mr Mojamorago Ramogapi alleged that due to high cases of rape, robbery, and murder especially on women, the women lived in fear which had resulted in some abandoning farming.

He said criminals hid in bushes and pounced on women farmers.

To this Mr Autlwetse agreed that many Batswana, especially who lost their loved ones were disheartened by seeing suspects, even the repeat offenders, walking the streets while they (those who lost loved ones) were still mourning.

Worse, the assistant minister said, the suspects would while on bailout threaten to commit or even actually commit similar offences.

Mr Autlwetse particularly pointed out that dehumanising acts like rape were taken for granted especially by suspects and their defenders.

Mr Autlwetse expressed his wish that if possible rape, murder, and armed robbery cases be expedited so that victims and their families find closure.

He said acts like murder affected fundamental human rights. ENDS