Controversial eavesdropping bill irks unions :: Mmegi Online

FRANCISTOWN: The rumour mill recently went into overdrive after Parliament this week approved the Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Controlled Investigations) Bill (2022) to be debated as a matter of urgency.

The Bill seeks to enable law enforcement agencies to use undercover operations to intercept communications, access computer systems and use controlled devices in undertaking investigations of money laundering and associated crimes. It was brought to Parliament on a certificate of urgency by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Kagiso Mmusi seeking to allow the agents to carry fake passports and National Identity cards (Omang).

When requesting for the Bill to be brought on urgency, Mmusi said there was need to have a law that could plug legal gaps relating to issues of money laundering and financing terrorism. He added that the gaps flouted the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations which Botswana was found to be not fully compliant with (Recommendation 31 of the FATF Standards). As expected, ruling party legislators were in support of the Bill being brought on urgency while the opposition were of the view that it was not urgent.