Prisons Service defends Mathokgwane appointment
The Commissioner of the Botswana Prisons Service (BPS), Anthony Mokento, has defended the appointment of former legislator, James Mathokgwane, insisting the recruitment was based solely on professional merit rather than political affiliation. Mathokgwane, a former Member of Parliament for Goodhope-Mabule (2014-2019) under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and the Botswana National Front (BNF), recently joined the Botswana Prisons Service, prompting widespread debate on social media. Some critics alleged his appointment was politically motivated following the UDC's rise to government.
However, Mokento dismissed the claims, saying Mathokgwane underwent the same recruitment and vetting procedures as any other candidate and was selected because of his expertise as a qualified social worker at a time when the service faces a shortage of highly skilled professionals.
Confirming the appointment, Mokento said Mathokgwane has joined the service at the rank of Senior Superintendent and will coordinate the Social Work Department, leading efforts to strengthen psychosocial services for inmates and officers. 'He is a professional social worker and was recruited because of the skills he brings. He is not replacing anyone, nor is he the only specialist we have recently recruited. We have also engaged another officer who holds a PhD in Psychology,' Mokento said. He explained that the BPS regularly recruits specialised professionals according to operational needs, noting that the country faces an acute shortage of qualified psychologists and forensic psychologists.
The challenge is that psychologists must now be registered to practise, and registration requires higher qualifications. “Botswana has very few professionals with Master's Degrees in psychology, and currently the country does not have a forensic psychologist,' he said. Mokento revealed that the Prisons Service recently sponsored one of its officers to pursue a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology in Kenya as part of efforts to build specialist capacity. He added that all new recruits, including professionals, are required to undergo foundational Prison Officer training under the accredited Diploma in Prison Management programme offered by the Botswana Prisons Service College.
While professionals such as Mathokgwane may receive exemptions for previously completed academic modules under Recognition of Prior Learning principles, they must still complete core correctional training and workplace attachments before assuming their full responsibilities. The diploma programme is accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA), and all academic standards are observed. “Those with relevant qualifications receive exemptions where applicable, but everyone must complete the essential correctional training,' Mokento explained. He further said the Prisons Service is raising professional standards by ensuring lecturers at its training college possess at least a University degree together with recognised teaching qualifications. Beyond staff development, Mokento said the BPS is also expanding rehabilitation programmes for inmates by improving vocational training that leads to nationally recognised trade qualifications.
The service is working towards ensuring all instructors are accredited by the Botswana Qualifications Authority. Mathokgwane is no stranger to public debate over senior appointments. In 2015, he resigned from Parliament barely seven months after being elected for Goodhope-Mabule, a move that attracted national attention. He later served as Regional Director at the Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU), an appointment that was similarly questioned by critics who argued that his background as a social worker did not align with the agency's economic development mandate. Supporters, however, maintained that the appointment reflected his leadership and management capabilities rather than his academic discipline. His latest appointment to the Botswana Prisons Service has once again reignited public debate.