Jailed former Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Carter Morupisi, has blown the whistle on alleged illegal and inhumane conditions inside local prisons, prompting a formal inquiry by the Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of Chiefs) and a public admission from the government that some of his claims are indeed true.
Morupisi, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for corruption and abuse of office, wrote a letter to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana, detailing what he described as “unacceptable conditions” at the First Offenders Prison. His letter cited serious issues including overcrowding, rampant drug use, illegal cellphone usage, non-functional ablution facilities, and, most alarmingly, alleged illicit dealings involving prison officials, police, intelligence agents, and mobile phone companies.
The matter was brought to light during a sitting of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi, where Bangwato Paramount Chief, Ian khama IV, asked Minister Ramaotwana whether he was aware of the letter and what urgent action his ministry was taking.
In a candid response, Ramaotwana confirmed receipt of Morupisi’s letter and acknowledged that some of the issues raised were accurate.
“Mr. Morupisi was complaining about a number of issues including overcrowding, absence of rehabilitation programmes, abuse of drugs, presence of cellphones, illegal dealings involving officials, and non-functional ablutions,” said Ramaotwana. “I must point out that some of the issues raised were true—as we have always stated in public.”
The minister admitted to persistent overcrowding at the prison, the presence of illicit substances such as dagga, and the use of unauthorized cellphones by inmates. He also acknowledged that ablution systems were occasionally out of order due to infrastructure breakdowns.
However, Ramaotwana dismissed Morupisi’s claims that no rehabilitation programmes were available, insisting that inmates are engaged in various productive activities such as agriculture, carpentry, construction, and character-building programmes facilitated by psychologists, social workers, and chaplains.
“Unlike what Mr. Morupisi said, there are rehabilitation programmes at the prison. Our Character Molding programmes include counselling, substance abuse education, and positive parenting,” he said.
The Minister assured the House that government remained committed to improving prison conditions in line with human rights standards, although he cautioned that progress would be delayed due to financial constraints.
“We are prepared to improve conditions in our prisons. Our vision is to increase prison accommodation to address overcrowding. However, this will be delayed by the current financial situation the country is facing.” Ramaotwana also granted the House of Chiefs permission to carry out a fact-finding mission at the prisons, following a request from Khama.“The request to visit prisons is accepted. We will be willing and ready to host Dikgosi on a date they would suggest,” he said.
The former PSP’s letter and the government’s acknowledgment have brought renewed attention to the state of Botswana’s correctional facilities, which have long faced criticism from human rights advocates. With the Ntlo ya Dikgosi now stepping in, all eyes will be on whether real reforms will follow.
