Dikgosi want Zodwa mould performers ‘screened’
Mompati Tlhankane | Sunday January 30, 2022 06:00
This came after Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo from Maun region asked Autlwetswe at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi to state whether he was aware that recently there has been a performing artist who performed on stage displaying her private parts. Responding to the question about screening of foreign artists before entry into the country, Autlwetse said even if they could screen artists before they enter the country, screening cannot tell whether the person would later undress or not on stage. “We can screen looking at their behavior but what they are going to do during the show is unpredictable,” he said.
The performing artist in question, Zodwa Wabantu from South Africa allegedly broke the law in the shows she performed at this past festive season. The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has since issued a warrant of arrest against her. Zodwa has been charged with traffic in obscene publications. According to section 178 Subsection 1(e) of the Penal code of Botswana, traffic in obscene publications in this case means any person who publicly exhibits any indecent show or performance or any show or performance tending to corrupt morals.
The crime carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment of P 200 if one is found guilty. Ledimo therefore wanted to know if what Zodwa did does not contravene the Botswana social values which the Joint Advisory Committee of Ntlo ya Dikgosi and Botswana Council of Churches on Social Values wanted to address. He also wanted to know whether this is not a criminal offence against the Botswana Penal Code and what measures Autlwetse will put in place to curb the situation since it is eroding the country’s good moral fabric. “I am aware of one incident where Mochudi issued a warrant of arrest against a performing artist who allegedly performed displaying her private parts. In light of the foregoing I will not want to prejudice police investigations by prejudging or trying to influence the matter in any way.
As the minister responsible for justice, law and order we ensure the enforcement of all the laws of the country and urge all Batswana to uphold all Tswana social values,” Autlwetse told Nlto Ya Dikgosi. “Masaikateng a gagwe ane a hatlha ba neng ba bogetse modiro wa gagwe,” he said. He said he didn’t want to ruin the case but rather they should wait for the prosecution to make their case and see if they agree that what the artist did was not morally right according to Tswana norms. Autlwetse said the prosecution will decide whether they agree with Batswana as a collective that the act was disgraceful.
Social norms are the unwritten rules of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that are considered acceptable in a particular social group or culture. Social values are a set of moral principles defined by society dynamics, institutions, traditions and cultural beliefs.