Africa-Press – Botswana. Parliament has learnt that there is currently no waiver for offenders for fingerprint records, including those that have demonstrated a commitment to positive change.
“It is also true that some employers including government, prior to enlistment, conduct pre-employment clearance, which may include record of criminal history as confirmed through fingerprint records,” said Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moetsi Mohwasa told Parliament on Tuesday.
He said however, that individuals had a constitutional right as provided through Section 53 of the Constitution of Botswana, to petition for a pardon from the President, which might include expunging fingerprint records, so that they might access available employment opportunities.
According to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Acts Section 337, everyone convicted of an offence is finger printed.
He also said Botswana Prisons Service had in place an Offender Reintegration Programme launched in 2021, which wass delivered in partnership with the community in order to foster acceptance and reduce stigma attached to imprisonment.
Boteti West MP, Mr Sam Digwa had asked the minister to state the steps that were being taken to ensure the effective reintegration of non-habitual offenders with criminal records, particularly those with fingerprint records, back into the society in a manner that allowed them to access employment opportunities in the public and private sectors, especially where they had demonstrated rehabilitation and a commitment to positive change.
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