07 Mar 2022

The slow pace at which the wheels of justice often turn with respect to murder cases remains a major concern for many Batswana. Many feel wronged families are caused to wait for too long before they can find closure.

Mabule residents told the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into Review of the Constitution yesterday that they wanted to see murder cases disposed off quickly. This, they said, would restore the public’s confidence in the judicial system.

One Mr Buti Maoto, a representative of neighbouring Sekhutlane village, said in the same way stock theft courts were set up, there should similarly be established special courts, whose duty should be to hear murder cases only.

He noted that presently Batswana, particularly families whose loved ones had been murdered, were growing increasingly disillusioned at the slow pace of justice.

On a different issue, Mr Maoto said the constitution should recognise the existence of witchcraft and make provision for prosecution of cases around it.

“Boloi bo teng, mme ebile nako e tsile ya gore molao o amogele seo. Go setse go na le ditiragalo tse batho ba fitlhelwang ka dirwe tsa batho mme go sa tlhalosege gore go tsile jang gore ba bo ba di tshotse, mme fa o ka lebisisa o tlaa bona gore dikgang tse di amana le boloi ka tsela nngwe,” he stated afterwards in an interview, highlighting how sometimes people were found in possession of human body parts, and would fail to explain where they got them.

Also concerned about the delay in the disposal of murder cases, another Sekhutlane resident Mr Lenkemetse Tau proposed that the law should prescribe that such cases be tried in a period not exceeding one year.

Mr Tau also suggested that the law should stipulate castration of those who sexually violated children.

Also contributing to the deliberations, Ms Lucky Lesaumakwe suggested a life sentence of those found to have impregnated minors, and added that perpetrators of violence of any sort against women should also face stiffer penalties.

On an unrelated issue, she proposed that the constitution and all official documents and communications should first be in Setswana to make it easier for non-English speaking Batswana to understand.

“Le tautona fa a ntsha pego ka botsogo jwa setshaba a a dire jalo pele ka Setswana, mme morago a bege ka Sekgoa gore Motswana mongwe le mongwe a mo ikutlwele ka tlhamalalo,” she said, meaning that the President must first deliver the State of Nation Address (SONA) and other key national addresses in Setswana so that Batswana who are not conversant in English may receive first hand, the information being communicated.

Advocating further protection of the rights of orphaned children, Ms Kitso Tiro proposed that the law should provide for temporary adoption of the children.

Doing so would ensure they had a guardian and that the assistance they got from the government reached them, she said.

Yet another speaker, Ms Grace Tiro pointed out that while technology welcome, its negative impact on society should not be ignored.

Ms Tiro said the law should protect the elderly against misuse of the Internet.

She said there was a growing number of cases where youth, using the Internet swindled the elderly after gaining access to their bank accounts.

Further, she requested that Ntlo ya Dikgosi be given the responsibility to resolve bogosi conflicts wherever they arose, as opposed to the current situation where the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development arbitrated.

Ms Moneinyana Mothibi said while People Living With Disability (PLWD) had programmes tailor-made for their care, there still remained a lot of room for improvement, with regards to the welfare of the mentally challenged.

These, she argued, faced several unique challenges; hence it was critical that their care and support be made a priority and that it be stipulated in the constitution. In the end, Ms Mothibi said the law should allow for children to be taught in all the languages spoken in Botswana.

She said in addition to opening up opportunities for them locally, it would make them more receptive and tolerant towards other tribes. ENDS