Are Legislators More Equal Than The Citizenry?
Monday, May 11, 2020
The allegations opened old and new wounds for different activist groups and individuals. Botswana has many defilement cases, and as a matter of fact, there are still many more, which go unreported (either because the parents have been paid off, or they are protecting the perpetrator because he is a family member). News that MP Majaga is a wanted man for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old broke last week and people from different walks of life expressed disgust if indeed the allegations were true.
Some were calling for the MP to be arrested immediately, wondering why he is still labelled a wanted man, while the police force knew exactly where he was.
Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...