mmegi

Denying suspects bail could cost Gov’t- DPP

Suspect PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Suspect PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

As some members of the public and the law enforcement agencies complain about the courts’ decisions to quickly release suspects on bail, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has defended the latter.

The release of suspects by the courts more especially in criminal cases has been regarded as a serious community threat. This has angered the public and many have felt it is not safe to release a suspect without proper supervision.

The main concern for the public is that suspects are released on bail, leaving them free to keep committing the same crimes over and over without any consequences. The law enforcement agencies also cry foul that they continue to investigate serious crimes and arrest suspects, only for the latter to end up back on the streets a few days later. Last month the DIS director-general, Peter Magosi applauded the police for doing a wonderful job but decried that those efforts are frustrated by the courts as they continue to release suspects on bail. This matter was a subject of debate again as the Attorney General (AG) appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week.

Editor's Comment
Who watches the watchdog?

For a fact, in a democratic society such as Botswana, the media plays a crucial role of being watchdog, holding the powerful to account and exposing all possible wrongdoing for the benefit of the public.There has been a nagging question about who watches the watchdog after all? Perhaps, the investigations into alleged wrongful acts implicating those supposed to be playing the watchdog role will shed more light into what has happened such that the...

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