Botswana govt moves to control cyberspace

If the law is passed, perpetrators risk a P10,000 fine, five years in prison or both. The Electronic Records Bill gazetted on February 21 says that lies spread on social networks such as facebook, twitter, or any other electronic form will be admitted in court as evidence. The law will compliment the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which did not fully recognise electronic evidence as admissible in criminal procedures.

“Any person who, in certificate tendered under Section 6, in a court makes a statement which he or she knows to be false or does not reasonably believe to be true commits and offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding P10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both,” says the bill which will be tabled in Parliament soon.