The alarming rise of murder cases in Botswana has led to calls for a moratorium on the death penalty because it appears to have failed to stem the tide.
However, another school of thought insists that the death penalty is still necessary in order to deter would-be murderers.
According to statistics released by the the Botswana Police Service last year, a total of 194 murder cases had been recorded between January and mid-September 2018.
Out of these, 87 involved women killed by their lovers. On the contrary, only one male victim was killed by his female lover.
The debate on the death penalty was ignited by human rights group Ditshwanelo and prominent lawyer Kgosi Ngakaagae who continue to argue that the death penalty should be abolished.
“Ditshwanelo condemns and remains opposed to the use of the death penalty as a means of punishment,” the group’s executive director Alice Mogwe said.
She called on the Botswana government to “take the lead in condemning the use of fatal force, which leads to the loss of life.”
“It should instead strive to protect life, including that of the offender,” she said.
According to Mogwe the Botswana authorities “should look for alternatives to addressing crimes which lead to capital offences by dealing decisively with their causes.”
“This approach will contribute to the reduction of such crimes. We regard this as crucial as a nation which prides itself on being peaceful and non-violent.”
Ngakaagae said there are currently two men on death row in Botswana.
“Sometimes you don’t understand these old men and how they reason. Many have died because of the Court of Appeals errors of judgment,” he said, citing alleged trial errors noted in the cases of murder convicts Gwara Brown and Thabologo Mauwe more than 20 years ago.
Brown and Mauwe’s hanging was halted hours before they were to meet with the hangman after human rights attorney Kgafela Kgafela intervened and won them freedom in 1998.
Veteran journalist Pamela Dube is of the view that the debate of whether death penalty is a deterrent to murder is not as fierce as before.
“In the face of anger, opponents of capital punishment choose not to speak out,” Dube said.
She called on the Botswana parliament should repeal the death penalty.
“And the chance to engage on the matter is now, in the period of electioneering,” said Dube.
Botswana goes for general elections in October.
Other Botswana took to social media to express their views on the debate.
Keboh Motjhibameleh said: “But are you guys (Ditshwanelo) aware of heinous murders by accused persons on bail? Should we wait for them to exterminate us before we (that’s if we will be there) eliminate them? I’ll tell you the most effective alternative to capital punishment. Send them killers to live with aliens in another planet.”
Bokamoso Xavier said: “You (Ditshwanelo) won’t stop the nation. We are united on this: whoever kills must die by the sword; we hang in Botswana.”
The European Union Delegation in Botswana, which is opposed to the death penalty, has since called on the government to initiate a public debate on its use of corporate punishment.
Justice Minister Shaw Kgathi has however dismissed the EU’s calls. saying Botswana would only take advice on the amendment of national laws if it came from its people.
KO/jn/APA