12 Dec 2024

 Parliament on Wednesday rejected a motion brought by Kgatleng West legislator, Dr Unity Dow.

The motion requested government to establish peace desks at magistrates courts and police stations, an arrangement that she reasoned would be a shortcut to justice on Gender Based Violence (GBV) matters as victims would get expedited assistance.

Most legislators who contributed indicated that although noble, the motion did not bring much to the already existing laws.

Specially nominated legislator, Ms Lesego Chombo indicated that what the motion requested already existed.

“The existing laws already give police officers and magistrates the responsibility of peace officers. What is only lacking is awareness that such a service exists,” she said

She said that there were also officers assisting in that regard, although argued that they might not necessarily be called peace officers. Ms Chombo however, admitted a need for a one-stop-shop where clients could find all officers they needed. She also said that her ministry was ready to work with that of Justice and Correctional Services for a holistic policy review.

Bobirwa legislator, Mr Taolo Lucas said that key to the motion was the concept of peace.

“Even though Botswana is well known for peace, at the privacy of families is another story, so establishing peace desks at magistrates courts and police stations will help attain peace in these private spaces,” he said.

He said that the arrangement would also work for men who were reluctant to report when violated. Molepolole South legislator, Mr Shima Monageng said that the motion was important, especially coming from a former judge who dealt with such matters often.

He reiterated that the arrangement would help address the issue of under-reporting of GBV cases due to fear of victimisation.

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana said he agreed with the motion idea of confronting GBV as such was also the position of government.

However, he said what the motion was calling for was already in place and implemented by the police among others, hence the only need was to raise awareness.

Mr Ramaotwana who also is Gaborone South MP, said implementing the requirements of the motion would therefore, be a duplication.

However, MP for Okavango West, Mr Kenny Kapinga said the motion was offering an alternative avenue to accessing courts by GBV victims.

He said the motion would speed up the processes, adding that it was the responsibility of the government to fight GBV.

Mr Kapinga further called on the courts to speed up dispute resolution turnaround times, as well as for the police to be empowered and resourced.

The Directorate of Public Prosecution should up its game on cases, Mr Kapinga said.

Appreciating contributions by legislators, Dr Dow said that the motion merely aimed at facilitating the implementation of existing laws, and not establish new ones.

She said that it was important that legislatures should have distinguished between desk officers as the motion requested, and peace officers as they argued.

Dr Dow said that the request was noble looking at the fact that Section 335 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which she sought to complement, was long enacted in the 1930s.

“What the motion was simply requesting was that there should be a service or a facility that people are sure to find when they go to seek help there. Whatever we decide to call it is not the main request,” she said.

Dr Dow also said that there was a need to admit that the said section as was, was inadequate and further stated that at the moment, there was a long procedure for one to get assistance on GBV matters because they first had to go through the police.

“So the motion wanted to facilitate a shortcut to justice as well as enable functionality of the existing laws. How many people have to die before we see the need to beef up existing laws,” she said. Ends