Tonota South MP, Pono Moatlhodi, made a u-turn this week when he called on the provision of condoms in prison.
The legislator stated that he changed his mind on the matter following latest media reports that there was a possibility of inmates engaging in sexual activity and infecting each other with HIV.
He said that he was not advocating for same-sex relationships when now calling for the provision of condoms in prison.
The legislator had insisted previously that to give prisoners condoms would be tantamount to legalising homosexuality, saying inmates should learn that by choosing to break the law they imprisoned themselves and, as such, are responsible for starving themselves of sex.
“I am afraid that some of the inmates go to prison while they are HIV negative but only to come out HIV positive.┬á I am not saying we should encourage them to engage in homosexuality or same-sex relationships. Let the condoms be distributed in prisons┬áin case inmates engage in sexual activities they could use them to protect them against possible new infections,” he said.
Moathodi had in the past criticized the distribution of condoms, arguing that this could encourage people to continue with the immoral acts.
The legislator had argued that he was puzzled as to why anyone would choose to have sex another man.
But this week Moatlhodi confirmed that he has since made a reversal because it is evident that there could be acts of sexual activities behind bars. He said that the provision of condoms could help to curb new infections.
Moatlodi’s new position is in alignment with the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS, which has been calling for the provision of condoms for prisoners.
BONELA is worried about the number of prisoners who leave prisons HIV positive.
