Batswana want flogging back-Motsumi

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Tuesday March 16, 2010 00:00

Motsumi was speaking during a press conference where she was accompanied by the chairman and deputy chairman of the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone and Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II at the Grand Palm Hotel in Gaborone last Friday.

Government is re-introducing flogging as part of the National Strategy for the Promotion of Good Social Values unveiled to Ntlo ya Dikgosi last week.

However, Mmegi asked the minister to clarify whether the reintroduction of flogging would not undermine Botswana's human rights record. Botswana is one of the countries  that subscribes to the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ' We consulted with health experts to tell us what it is that they found wrong with flogging because Batswana are calling for its reintroduction.  The flogging will be implemented by the dikgosi at the Kgotla, they have the expertise, they will administer it in a special way that will make the criminal come to his senses (Ke boikarabelo ja bogosi, ban a le kelelelo ya gore e dirwa jang ka tsela e  e tla tlogelang motho gore a itlhaloganye sentle'), she said.

For his part, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng said flogging has helped build this nation (thupa ya mokwatla e re agile).  ' Our elders were disciplined with it (flogging).  It never killed anyone.'

Kgosi Lotlaamoreng however emphasised that until relevant legislation has been amended to allow for flogging, corporal punishment will continue to be administered on the buttocks. 'But Batswana have told us that it was a big mistake removing flogging and replacing it with corporal punishment on the buttocks. We need to correct that mistake and go with what works best for us,' he said.

The Attorney General, Attaliah Molokomme has been assigned by a presidential directive to effect the necessary legislative pieces for the reintroduction of flogging in Botswana.