07 Apr 2021

 The legislation landscape under the  Ministry of Defence, Justice and  Security  is set to change this financial year with new laws and amendment of several pieces of legislation planned.

  Giving an update Tuesday, Minister Kagiso Mmusi revealed that out of the approved over P1 billion budget for the ministry, Administration of Justice was allocated over P41 million and Attorney General‘s Chambers over P22 million.

  On the planned legislations, he said a covert operations and intrusive investigations bill would be presented to Parliament in compliance with Financial Action Task Force recommendations on anti-money laundering and counter financing terrorism.

Disclosing that the ministry would undertake a review and reform of the criminal justice system, Mr Mmusi said preparations were advanced to enact a bail act.

  He said Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act would be holistically reviewed in order to enhance its effectiveness and relevance.

Mr Mmusi said the Penal Code would be amended to complement the Sex Offenders Bill by enhancing penalties for sexual and other gender-based violence offences.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Act would be reviewed to usher in more stringent measures to detect and curb offences related to trafficking in persons, he said.

He said a draft Military Veterans Bill was in place and was anticipated to be tabled in the July sitting of Parliament. 

The minister said following cabinet approval, the Legal Practitioners Bill was presented for first reading in the November Parliament but was deferred to allow further stakeholder consultations. 

 Minister Mmusi said the Law Society of Botswana was currently being engaged to reach a consensus on outstanding issues.

  Also earmarked for amendment were the High Court and Magistrate Court acts to improve service delivery by among others increasing the number of judges and reviewing the jurisdiction of magistrates.

  On projects, he said they included Botswana Defence Force’s shelters for air defence equipment, infrastructure maintenance and aircraft refurbishment.

With regards to Botswana Police Service projects, he said they included Gaborone and Letlhakane police stations together with housing, Tsabong police houses, police posts and bases in various locations as well as Police Headquarters expansion.

Botswana Prisons Service projects include improvement of headquarters, rehabilitation centre in Lobatse and a high-security wing at Tshane Prison.ENDS