Political parties have express disapproval of President Ian Khama’s decision to pardon three men convicted last year for the cold-blooded murder of John Kalafatis.
“We really are shocked. This person was not just killed. It was cold blooded and brutal murder of an unarmed civilian,” said the Botswana Congress Party (BCP)’s Secretary General, Kesitegile Gobotswang.
Gobotswang said that following Kalafatis’ killing one would have expected President Khama to visit the Kalafatis family and pay his condolences and assure them that justice would be done. He said that regrettably Khama failed to visit the Kalafatis family.
“Justice took its course, now he has the guts and audacity to free these people…one cannot be blamed in thinking that the President must have known of this cold-blooded murder…what is he going to say to the Kalafatis family?” Gobotswang said.
He added that it was clear that Kalafatis died for nothing.
“One day this President and his government are going to have to account,” said Gobotswang.
Like the BCP, the Botswana Movement For Democracy (BMD) also feels the pardon by President Khama has robbed the Kalafatis family of justice.
The BMD said that Khama’s decision to pardon without any explanation is a lack of faith on the criminal justice system.
Speaking for the BMD, Wynter Mmolotsi said that it was about time the President’s powers are reviewed.
“Do we still feel the President should have powers to pardon selectively….Do we still need a President who wields so much power ..?” questioned Mmolotsi.
He said that he wondered if any past or current President had ever extended such a gesture to convicts within such a short space of time and selectively.
“Why is it happening now, why now?” he asked.
