Women are not properties-Judge warns murderers

Justice Matlhogonolo Phuthego
Justice Matlhogonolo Phuthego

With the number of Gender Based violence (GBV) offences especially rapes and murders of women and the girl child in Botswana spiraling out of control, the country’s courts have and continue to be the last bastion of hope for victims. Mmegi Staffer LEBOGANG MOSIKARE recently observed this long held legal practice when a man was sentenced to 18-years-in-jail for callously murdering his girlfriend

FRANCISTOWN: The sentencing of Christopher Tirelo to jail for murdering Malebogo Masilo in 2017 at Mothabaneng village near Bobonong village happened in the wake of a scathing attack by various civil society organisations (CVOs) against the majority Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) legislators after a motion by an opposition MP to set up a Presidential Commission of Enquiry to investigate issues of GBV in Botswana did not succeed in Parliament.

While the wording of Justice Matlhogonolo Phuthego in the Tirelo case differs from what the CVOs say about GBV, their messages are clear and similar-GBV strips off the dignity of women and children, and in some dire instances, their Constitutional right to enjoy their lives are abruptly ended. The 2020 ranking by the World Population Review places Botswana on the second spot after South Africa out of the top 10 countries with the highest rates of rape in the world.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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