Responses by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to questions in Parliament 9-23/2/10

source: Republic of Botswana (28/2/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 3 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
“Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery”


B7) Responses by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to questions in Parliament 9-23/2/10



B7a) PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO. 305 ASKED ON Tuesday 23rd February, 2010 BY Mr. T. G. Habano MP (NGAMI)



QUESTION: To ask the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security;

i) How many people suspected of disrespecting the President by uttering words of insult have been charged;

ii) How many were deported before or after being charged and convicted ; and

iii) What were their nationalities


ANSWER: Madam Speaker, Since April 2008 to date, a total of thirteen (13) persons were charged for showing disrespect to His Excellency the President by uttering words of insult. Three (3) foreign nationals were deported.

Madam Speaker, The nationalities of the three (3) deported foreign nationals are one (1) Indian, one (1) Pakistani and one (1) South African. I thank you, Madam Speaker.


B7b) PARLIAMENTARY Question No. 228 asked on Thursday 11th February 2010 by Mr. E. J. Batshu, MP. (Nkange)


QUESTION: To ask the Minister for Defence, Justice and Security to inform this House on the following:

i) The current approved establishment of Magistrates (approved posts) in Botswana; and

ii) How many Magistrates are currently employed by Government and of that number, how many are expatriates.


ANSWER: Madam Speaker,

i) The current approved establishment of magistrates’ posts is sixty six (66).

ii) The number of magistrates currently in post is forty nine (49). There are three (3) magistrates (all Batswana) who have accepted employment but are yet to report for duty. This will take the total number in post to fifty two (52). Out of the forty nine (49) magistrates in post fifteen (15) are expatriates.


B7c) QUESTION NO. 218 asked on Wednesday 10/2/10 by Mr. E.J Batshu (MP, Nkange)

QUESTION: To ask the Minister of Justice, Defence and Security to appraise the House on the number of cases held by the Botswana Police Service under the following categories:- The number of cattle which were smuggled into Zimbabwe in the Tutume policing area during the past 2 years; of the number at (i) above, how many were recovered, returned to Botswana and subsequently destroyed to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease; and how many cattle are currently held by the Zimbabwe authorities as exhibits and when, if known, the relevant cases will be completed so that the owners of these cattle can know the fate of their livestock

ANSWER: Madam Speaker, a total of sixty-one (61) cattle were smuggled into Zimbabwe in the Tutume policing area during the past two years. Thirty three (33) of the sixty –one (61) cattle smuggled were recovered and all were destroyed as a way of preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease. All the recovered stock was returned to Botswana and none are held as exhibits by the Zimbabwean authorities.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

B7d) QUESTION NO. 220 asked on Wednesday 10/2/10 by Mr. S. Tsogwane, MP. (Boteti North)


QUESTION: To ask the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security whether Rakops Police Station is fully operational in terms of providing all the services intended; if not when will such services be provided.

ANSWER: Madam Speaker, Rakops Police Station is fully operational and provides all policing services to people located in its policing area. There are units that are not insitu such as the anti stock theft unit and the CID unit. Stock theft unit services are performed by General Duty officers while CID services are sought from Orapa or Letlhakane. With time all units will be insitu with the improvement of the economic situation. I thank you Madam Speaker.


B7e) QUESTION NO. 217 asked on Tuesday 9/2/10 by Mr. E.J Batshu (MP, Nkange)

QUESTION: To ask the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to appraise the House on the number of cases held by the Botswana Police Service under the following categories:- Criminal and traffic offences pending of the number at (i) above, how many cases are pending before Magistrates Courts and how many are pending before Customary Courts.


ANSWER: Madam Speaker, as at 31st December 2009, a total of 57 217 and 50 434 criminal and traffic offences cases respectively were pending in our courts. Of the 57 217 criminal cases pending, 4 482 are registered before Magistrate Courts, whilst 1 025 are registered before the Customary Courts. Out of the 50 434 pending traffic offences cases, 1107 are registered before magistrate courts. Thank you, Madam Speaker.


B7f) QUESTION NO. 213 asked on Tuesday 9/2/10 by Mr. Edwin J. Batshu M.P (Nkange)

QUESTION: To ask the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to state:
The current establishment (approved posts) for Special Constables in the Botswana Police Service, the number of Special Constables currently employed by the Botswana Police Service, the number of Special Constables who have been absorbed into the Botswana Police Service since this constabulary was introduced in 2004 and whether there are Special Constables who have served for over 3 years; if so, when will they be absorbed into the Botswana Police Service (Permanent and Pensionable).

ANSWER: Madam Speaker, the current establishment (approved posts) for Special Constables in the Botswana Police Service is 2, 507. In addition, there is another group of 450 Special Constables employed under the Ipelegeng Programme , making a total of 2, 957 in the Special Constables Cadre. The number of Special Constables currently employed by the Botswana Police Service including those under Ipelegeng Programme is 2, 957. However the figure fluctuates because of resignations and other factors. Since the introduction of Special Constables in 2004, a total of 658 Special Constables have been absorbed into the Botswana Police Service. Subject to availability of vacancies, Special Constables who possess the requisite qualifications will continue to be absorbed into the Botswana Police Service. There are Special Constables who have served for over 3 years in the Botswana Police Service. As already stated those that hold the requisite qualifications will, subject to the availability of posts, be enlisted into the regular membership of the Botswana Police Service. In the current enlistment exercise which started in January 2010, there are 170 Special Constables being processed for possible absorption into the Botswana Police Service. Thank you, Madam Speaker.