Parly engages public on Bail Bill

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – The National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Law and Public Safety Cluster has launched an initiative to engage and gather public opinion on the Bail Bill of 2024. This is an effort by the committee building on the already introduced parliament’s ‘Bringing parliament to the people’ programme, carrying out its mandate to protect the public by enforcing law and ensuring overall safety.

In an interview with Public Eye this week, committee chairperson, Everest Ramakatsa, said they found it prudent as policy makers to engage the public on matters related to the making of new laws so that their input is incorporated. He noted that this is the proper way to approach the drafting of laws in the country, so that they are handled in the right way.

Ramakatsa outlined that before parliament went into recess in November last year, the committee had covered the north region of the country from Mokhotlong, Botha-Bothe, Leribe and Berea; with Thaba-Tseka, Nazareth and Maseru covered in the central region.

The committee has also visited Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek, Quthing. They will be at Ha Makhakhe in the Mafeteng district today (Friday). Ramakatsa pointed out that during these public engagements, the public has raised concerns on how the issue of how bail is handled in the courts of law, especially in cases related to stock-theft and arms and ammunition.

He lamented the state of the country’s laws, making reference to the Arms and Ammunition Act which still carries penalties as little as M20 to be paid in bail applications. Ramakatsa continued that: “The purpose of the law is so to ensure that penalties given bear the weight of crime committed, when one is handed a penalty they should feel that they are being punished for something bad that they have done.” He said the public has urged the bail proceedings to be tightened because lately criminals commit criminal acts fully aware that they will not bear the brunt of their actions but to apply for bail and easily be let off the hook. He said the state of mind of the public should always be considered when bail is granted to offenders as they usually go back to the same communities they have wronged after being granted bail.

Ramakatsa emphasized the public’s position that punishments handed to criminals should be in alignment with the crimes committed, with applications for bail being interrogated in consultation with the court, the perpetrator and the victim, community members and the chief, among others.

The Bail Bill of 2024 envisages an Act to make provision for consolidation and harmonization of existing pretrial release laws and practices, enhancement, management and maintenance of pre-trial release and for related matters.