Boko insists personal views will not influence death penalty decisions
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday November 25, 2025 19:06
Responding to Parliament this evening, Boko said each case will be assessed individually.
“I will apply myself thoroughly, and it doesn’t happen in a day. The process is ongoing,” he said.
The President has long expressed concern about the death penalty, previously telling Tutume residents that Botswana must “approach the issue with a clear mind” as executions have not stopped murders around the country.
In Parliament, Okavango legislator, Kenny Kapinga pressed Boko on why no death warrants have been signed.
“The longer you delay, the more you subject inmates to torture as they wait for a decision that is not coming,” Kapinga argued.
Botswana currently has 14 men on death row, down from 16 after the Court of Appeal overturned two death sentences earlier this year. Two others had their appeals dismissed and face execution.
Botswana remains the only country in Southern Africa that still carries out executions for aggravated murder. President Boko has not tabled any move to abolish the death penalty for now, he says, adding that he is still considering each case.
President Boko was in parliament this evening responding to debates on his State Of the Nation Address (SONA).