14 Mar 2022

A Mabalane resident Mr Bakgatla Molefi has proposed that the constitution should allow death row inmates to choose the method of their execution. 

These methods, he said, could include hanging, lethal injection and electrocution among others. Still on crime-related issues, a Mmathubudukwane resident Mr Phillip Sekana called for cessation of negative use of the fingerprint identification system and the criminal history of rehabilitated offenders, which he said denied them a chance to become full members of the society, with equal opportunities for work, school and others. 

Mr Sekana said the status quo rendered ex-offenders unemployable and made a mockery of the rehabilitation processes. 

Describing Botswana’s offender rehabilitation system as fairly good and effective, he said it was sad that the law refused to recognise ex-offenders as fully reformed by continuing to use their history, which they would have abandoned, against them. He said this was likely to push the affected individuals back into crime and undo the good work that went into rehabilitating them. 

Mr Lesley Phiri decried the consequences of unemployment. He noted that fathers who received maintenance orders were often found to be in violation of the orders due to the fact they were unemployed. 

He questioned the wisdom in incarcerating unemployed fathers who defaulted on child maintenance. “These men get imprisoned for defaulting on maintenance, and once in custody government assumes the responsibility of feeding and caring for them, while the plight of the children in question remains the same,” he said. 

Mr Phiri contended creating employment opportunities for Batswana should therefore be made a priority to prevent such undesirable consequences. 

Mr Anthony Rasetshwane of Mmathubudukwane suggested automatic succession to the presidency by the vice president should be discontinued. Mr Rasetshwane pronounced the procedure undemocratic. 

He argued when the office of President fell vacant, an election should be held to fill it. Mr Amos Ngwato, who spoke on behalf of Malolwane residents, proposed that the use of technology be infused into the country’s electoral process to allow voters who could not physically present themselves at polling stations to vote. 

Further, he suggested that the traditional schools of bogwera and bojale be introduced in schools to allow the younger generations to benefit from the good morals and life lessons that the schools instilled in initiates. 

Ms Salome Moatle of Mabalane suggested government should provide unemployment benefits to its people and that the constitution should safeguard the decision. Ms Moatle also spoke against the legalisation of sex work, saying the law should altogether forbid the practice. 

Another Mabalane resident, Ms Christinah Kgaswe called for the law to enjoin those exiting political office to conduct handing-overs to ensure continuity. Ms Kgaswe said the absence of such meant that some projects and processes under implementation when new holders of political office took over were often abruptly abandoned due to lack of structures allowing for continuity. 

Mr Johannes Modibedi of Sikwane argued for the law to make provision for holders of political office to be held criminally liable should they be found to have failed to live by their oath of office. He said while they took oath on assumption of duty, there was no provision of the law through which politicians could be held to account for their failure to discharge their duties without reproach. ends