21 Feb 2022

Calls for retention of capital punishment, disqualification from bail of people who commit intrusive crimes, and for Botswana to be declared a Christian nation emerged top among issues that Molepolole North residents submitted for possible adoption into Botswana’s constitution.
The residents, for one reason or another, told the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into Review of the Constitution, which came to consult with them at Molepolole's Matlhalerwa kgotla on yesterday, that they wanted the death penalty retained.
One Ms Sadi Segakisa said though not entirely a deterrent, the execution of murder convicts was still necessary as a means of sending a strong message to potential transgressors.
Similarly advocating its retention, Mr Sebala Leshomo argued that capital punishment was a deterrent. For that reason he believed it was crucial that it should be maintained.
He said citizens of several other nations envied Botswana for its death penalty stand and wished their countries could adopt it.
On a related matter, Mr Leshomo submitted that the law should provide that once charged, perpetrators of offences such as rape, child molestation, armed robberies and livestock rustling should be disqualified from bail.
He said it was important that such characters should be kept away from society, as they were a danger to other citizens.
 While also advocating the retention of the death penalty, Mr Abram Mogotsi argued that granting an accused person bail was an indication that investigations were complete, therefore the law should enjoin the courts to finish the matter and sentence offenders at that stage.
On presidential pardon of prisoners, Mr Mogotsi proposed that victims against whom offenses had been perpetrated or their families should be involved. Additionally, he suggested that when such prisoners got amnesty, victims and/or their families must be compensated for the prison term that had been docked off the prisoner’s service.
Mr Tebogo Lenao, as had several other speakers, called for stiffer sentences for child rapists.
He argued that those convicted of violating children should be castrated since they would have permanently scarred their victims, and thereby negatively impacting their outlook of life.
 On a different issue, a resident Mr Mothibi Gaitsewe underscored the importance of religious identity and said Batswana should not prevaricate over their aspiration to identify as a Christian nation.
Mr Gaitsewe said unlike other religions, Christianity was generally peaceful, and the country would not be at risk of outbreaks of religiously incited wars.
One Mr Moses Mmualefhe had earlier on spoken against declaring Botswana a Christian nation, saying some countries that had adopted certain religious identities were embroiled in unending wars that were fought along religious lines.
He said to avoid suffering the same fate, Batswana must stop demanding that the country should identify as Christian.
On unrelated matters, a resident Ms Masego Mahatelo said the fundamental rights of citizens as espoused in Chapter 2 of the constitution should be amended to include a provision binding government to allocate citizens land upon attainment of the age of majority.
Ms Mahatelo also proposed that though provided for in law, the chairmanship of the All Party Conference should cease being the preserve of the president of the ruling party, but should rather be assumed by presidents of different political parties on a rotational basis.
 Earlier when welcoming members of the commission, Kgosi Gabobegwe Borumolano had suggested that the 10-year period set for renewal of the Omang card was costly to government and should be stopped.
Kgosi Borumolano proposed that an identity card should remain valid for the life of the holder.
Molepolole North Member of Parliament Mr Oabile Regoeng appealed for calm in the course of partaking in the constitutional review exercise.
He implored residents to note that reviewing the constitution was not an undertaking that could be embarked upon at the drop of a hat, hence it was vital that they participate soberly, with the understanding that they would be bound by the outcome of the review for many years.
In the end, the legislator described the ongoing review as one of the hallmarks of democracy.
By participating in it, Batswana had established beyond question, their commitment to upholding the various democratic ideals that Botswana had become synonymous with. ENDS