17 Jul 2021

The Minister of Defense, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, says refurbishment of Gaborone prison staff houses is a demonstration of government’s commitment to improve conditions of service for officers and contribution to offenders rehabilitation initiative through skills transfer.

Speaking during a ground breaking ceremony on Friday, Mr Mmusi indicated that government’s commitment was demonstrated by the recent procurement of 61 housing units for junior officers in Gaborone. 

Government, he said, was in the process of procuring additional four high cost houses in Gaborone, six low cost houses in Tsabong and two medium cost ones in Francistown.

Minister Mmusi highlighted that the use of prison labour was commendable as it brought about many advantages, amongst them cost saving which would enable government to channel resources that would have been used to other initiatives.

He said engaging offenders in such projects increased their prospects for employment upon their release from prison and reduced the likelihood of them re-offending.

For her part. Prisons Commissioner, Ms Dinah Marathe indicated that the project was borne out of the desire to provide decent accommodation to officers in a bid to improve their living and working conditions.

She said the project was a continuation of what started in 2012, during which 24 houses were transformed. Ms Marathe said the works carried out involved structural alterations, refurbishments that included repainting, installation of additional electrical and mechanical fittings as well as geysers.

The beauty of it all, she said, was that the project was implemented through utilisation of prison labour, adding that it also contributed in rehabilitation initiatives since competent and experienced bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters, painters and electricians were produced in the process.

Ms Marathe indicated that the second phase of the project entailed refurbishment of six houses, which were due for completion mid December 2021.

She said most of their housing units in Gaborone prison were old and dilapidated. She highlighted that it was their desire to have changed the face and outlook of their camp within the next few years.

Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defense, Justice and Security, Ms Botlhale Makgekgenene thanked Ms Marathe for having found it fit to refurbish the old structures so that they could be more habitable and fully enjoyed by officers.

The fundamental of this kind of project, she said was that of acquisition of skills by prisoners which would enable them to live a meaningful and productive life upon release from prison. Ends