28 Jul 2022

The church is in perfect harmony with the majority of Batswana and accede that those who commit the heinous act of murder should suffer the same provided there is convincing evidence the act was premeditated. 

President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Dr Tebogo Motlhagodi said during the organisation’s submission to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the review of the constitution of Botswana on Tuesday that the death penalty ought to be upheld as a deterrent and punishment to murders. 

“We are okay with the death penalty and the status quo ought to be maintained as a measure to preserve life,” he submitted. 

Besides lobbying for the establishment of the establishment of a house of religion to advice government on religious matters, Bishop Motlhagodi desired that specially elected members of both parliament and council should be increased to cater for clerics. 

Also, he stated that the time had arrived for the country to have the ministry of religion and recognise pastors as part and parcel of essential service providers. 

He also called for the constitution to bar dikgosi from meddling in politics saying their influential nature had the potential to negatively polarise the nation. 

Improvement of the welfare of chiefs according to him could help curtail the exodus of Magosi into the political space. 

Similarly, he was opposed to the idea to have the former heads of state venturing into active politics and called for the enactment of the piece of legislation to stop the development. 

For his part, OIC Secretary General Apostle Sizo Dibebe was of the view that immense powers conferred upon the head of state called for direct election of the number one citizen. 

“This would automatically mean the privilege of immunity against prosecution enjoyed by the president falls off,” he said. 

The choice of the executive arm of government should be open to members of the public with requisite knowledge and skills. 

He also called for the autonomy of oversight institutions such as Directorate of Intelligence and Security, Ombudsman, Attorney Generals, Independent Electoral Commission and many others. 

He was not averse to the notion of abortion as long as it was conducted with the recommendation of the doctor. Deputy Secretary General, Reverend Robert Mabutho was opposed to the idea of polygamy citing prevalence of diseases as one of the primary reasons the practice had to be abolished. 

Overall OIC Botswana Chapter was content with majority of the regulations imposed on the church by the Registrar of Societies stating it brought a semblance of proper management within the sector. Ends