BOTSWANA:

Botswana church leaders have spoken out against the Appeal Court's decision to uphold the death sentence imposed on South African Marietta Sonjaleen Bosch, who was convicted for the 1996 murder of Maria Wolmarans. "Sermons on the death penalty are now regular," wrote Enole Ditsheko in Friday's MMEGI. In the MMEGI report Reverend Benjamnin Moleko said: "Life is a sacred gift from God and no one has the right to take it away - not even the State. To send her to the gallows is a vengeful act and it not our duty." Bishop Peterson Bothongo questioned the evidence led in Bosch's trial. "There is more background evidence we need. I am not sure all information material to the case has been used." Reverend Otsile Ditsheko said that human rights existed "only as long as we do not commit crimes like murder," but also expressed doubt on the verdict. "My biggest concern is the circumstantial evidence. There should have been forensic evidence." Since the Appeal ruling in January, the Bosch case has received extensive coverage in every edition of Botswana's newspapers. Writing in the Friday Guardian, BBC correspondent Derek James cited the issue of the indemnity granted to a prosecution witness, who Bosch accused of the murder. "What if she's not the killer?" said James. "God help us if they hang her and 3 months later the true killer confesses." The Guardian has also been taken to task for its graphic description of a hanging. "It is disgusting...," wrote a 75-year-old widow. The Sunday Tribune devoted two pages to a review of the case and concluded that there was little chance that Botswana President Festus Mogae will grant Bosch clemency. "Clemency has not been granted to any convicted murderer since independence," wrote Ernest Moloi. Attorneys for Bosch are holding out hope that they will persuade Mogae to save her. (source: South African Press Agency)