Gov’t won't forgive COVID-19 regulation offenders
Mompati Tlhankane | Tuesday December 13, 2022 06:00
Mmusi said the individuals are at liberty to lodge their requests personally for pardon with Masisi.
“His Excellency the President, relying on Section 53 of the Constitution and in the exercise of his executive powers may pardon any person convicted of any criminal offence after considering all relevant factors,” he said. Responding to a question in Parliament recently, Mmusi said to date, a total of 6,185 violators have been found guilty.
He indicated that none have been sentenced to a prison term, therefore, none are serving time.
Kanye North legislator, Thapelo Letsholo had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on cases of people charged for contravening COVID-19 regulations and how many of those charged did not pay Admission of Guilt and their cases reached the Courts of Botswana. Letsholo also wanted to know how many have been found guilty to date and more particularly, how many are serving prison sentences. He also asked if the minister will consider advising Masisi to pardon all those who contravened the COVID-19 regulations.
Letsholo indicated that some are first-time offenders and some are breadwinners whose contravention was purely out of desperation in life circumstances. Mmusi further indicated that 261,168 people were dealt with for contravening COVID-19 regulations and 6,212 violators did not pay an Admission of Guilt and had their cases registered before the court.
Most offences in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations of 2020 attracted a fine not exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. In the most extreme of offences a person who contravened specific regulations was liable to a fine not exceeding P100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.