The Botswana Democratic Party expresses regret at reports of sexual defilement of a minor in Nata, allegedly involving a community leader. We are dismayed that despite extensive education and awareness campaigns by the government, civic society groups and the BDP we still get reports of sexual crimes against minors. The Party holds sacrosanct the rights of the girl child as enshrined in the Children’s Act of 2009 and condemns all forms of sexual violation.
The BDP pledged in our 2019 Manifesto to strengthen laws against sex offenders and to implement a sex offenders and pedophile register for public scrutiny as a deterrent to repeat offenders. We remain committed to deliver on our manifesto promises and to uphold social protection of the vulnerable sections of our society, specifically the girl child. To this end, we pray for strict penalties against perpetrators of sexual offences.
We call on law enforcement authorities to treat all reports with deserved expediency while observing the delicate balances of the cardinal principles of equality of all before the law and presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The Party expresses confidence in the judiciary and the investigating authorities and remains assured that justice shall prevail. We applaud all sections of society who are committed to uprooting the vices and pestilence of sexual violations in its many forms from our societies.
#ESengMoNgwaneng.
ISSUED BY :
Hon. Mpho Balopi
Secretary General