Africa-Press – Botswana. The proposed sentences in the Arms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill of 2022 are aimed at deterring criminals from committing armed robberies.
Minister of Justice, Mr Machana Shamukuni, who was standing in for the Minister of Defence and Security in Parliament last Thursday July 20, was responding to MPs’ comments on the bill.
He said armed robberies had increased in the country over the years, hence the need to respond proactively.
He said the sentences which could go up to P500 000 or 25 years imprisonment were justified to deter criminal minds knowing that their action would heavily weigh on them.
Minister Shamukuni also allayed fears that the proposed arming of the police would contribute to illegal and unauthorised killings.
He said police officers were highly trained and that they were ranked the best in Africa and one of the best in the world.
Mr Shamukuni said with criminals armed it was no longer feasible for the police to deter them with knobkerries.
“We need to equip the police so that they respond adequately looking at the danger ahead,” he said. He said should mistakes happen with the guns, it would be unfortunate and would not mean that the police were not trained.
He said the exclusion of the police commissioner and the deputy from the arms and ammunition licensing board would ensure good governance. He also said it was not possible for the police commissioner to chair the board and advise the minister at the same time, adding that Botswana Police Service members would not be excluded from the board.
During the debate, Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana said the police should be the secretariat of the licensing board.
He also complained about the high penalties prescribed under the bill and said he was against the increased issuing of gun permits.
Serowe West MP, Mr Onalepelo Kedikilwe said there was a need to arm private security companies to ensure that the police were excluded from escorting them.
He said some of the private security companies employees were former army and police officers with knowledge of guns.
Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga supported the bill, but said there was need to train and arm private security companies as they were part of the nation’s security apparatus.
Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi opposed the bill, saying it was conceived with wrong motives. He also said the exclusion the police commissioner and deputy from the licensing board was a departure from the norm of constituting boards of state owned organs, arguing that their involvement would not compromise good governance.
After the debate, the bill which received majority support of legislators was passed to the committee stage.
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