Ngakaagae said the manner in which government has approached the death penalty question both with regards to justification and the execution of offenders is sadistic, unprincipled and disgraceful. “There are many compliance procedures in the Prisons Act with regards to the rights of condemned prisoners, the dutiful observance of which require independent oversight mechanisms intended to preserve whatever little dignity condemned prisoners have left in their dehumanised state. However, the secrecy with which the executions are carried out and the wanton disrespect for their clients’ families and attorneys is appalling to say the least,” said Ngakaagae, a sworn opponent of the death penalty.
He gave an example of the Gotlhaloganyamang Gabolokelwe case in which his lawyer only got to know about his execution when he asked for access in order to have him sign some clemency papers. He continued: “In the cases of Modise Tlokamolemo and the latest case of Patrick Gabaakanye the families and the lawyers only got to know from individuals who had heard either from the radio or from people who had heard through the radio. The state considers notifying Radio Botswana more civilised than informing the families and attorneys of the executed,” he charged.
