27 Mar 2014

Minister of Defence Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse has applauded MPs for their support and solidarity that they have shown during the debate of issues concerning defence and security.

He further thanked MPs for impartial advises which he said aimed at improving service delivery. Mr Seretse said vehicle shortage was a widespread problem that hampers efficient delivery of service among police the entire country, but noted that the ministry has since resorted to buying smaller cars to improve police response at crime scenes.

He said the ministry has started engaging experts on conditions of service and noted he was optimistic that conditions of service for Botswana Police Service, BDF and Prison officers will improve this financial year, since they should be differentiated from the rest of civil service because of the conditions they worked under.

He said there were no plans to build new police stations that were in the previous NDPs because of financial constraints, but noted that in the short to medium term solutions more police officers will be deployed to districts to render the required services.

He said although the ministry was unable to build police stations, satellite police stations were widely distributed in districts to augment the available police stations.

Minister Seretse said the ministry has started border re-affirmation for patrol routes and that currently the Ministry of Lands and Housing was engaging with neighbouring countries on the matter.

He further told Parliament that plans for setting the Independent Police Complaints Commission was ongoing and that the matter will be put before cabinet. Minister Seretse said the asbestos houses in Lobatse will be demolished as well as maintenance of Mogoditshane police.

He also said caravans will be provided at Marapong and Sebina adding that they were provided for, during this current financial year. MP for Mmadinare, also the Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe appealed for a police station at Mmadinare.

He also said the police station at Maunatlala was overwhelmed as it serviced afar villages such as Maokatumo, Diloro, Kgagodi, Tamasane and Mogapinyana, adding that a police station would be ideal for Maokatumo to serve the said villages.

Dr Kedikilwe further commended the decision to have stock theft courts as this would minimise the workload for the police that were currently dealing with them.

Moshupa MP, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi said police were invisible in his constituency because of shortage of resources. He said murder crimes were rampant at Ralekgetho and called for resources at the settlement.

Mr Masisi said he was worried at the extent to which bails were given to the suspects as in the process they committed more crimes. He said people in his constituency were unsettled about matters relating to bail provisions.

Molepolole South and North MPs, Messrs Daniel Kwelagobe and Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri appealed for a police station at Molepolole. They said Molepolole serviced catchment areas of Hatsalatladi, Mahetlwe and Botlhapatlou with unlimited manpower and shortage of resources.

Mr Kwelagobe said he was disappointed that Molepolole was not in the 2014/15 development plan whereas the situation at the current police station was appalling.

Tswapong South MP, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi appealed for a satellite police station at Ramokgonami as currently the village was serviced by Martinsdrift police.

He called for clear patrol route along the Tuli Block, arguing that at the moment the BDF were at the mercy of ranch owners. Mogoditshane MP, Mr Patrick Masimolole appealed for maintenance of Mogoditshane police station and accommodation for the BDF members at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks, who he said stayed in unmaintained shacks.

Chobe MP, Mr Gibson Nshimwe called for maintenance of Chobe police camp and provision of transport and other resources. MP for Tonota North Mr Fidelis Molao called for satellite police stations at Sebina and Marapong and called for provision of transport at Tati Town Police Station.

Lobatse MP, Nehemiah Modubule called for provision of accommodation for Lobatse police officers who were currently occupying asbestos. He also said lack of Independent Police Complaints Commission does not auger well for the country democracy of the country.

Tswapong North MP, Mr Prince Maele called for strengthening of security in busy complexes and called for accommodation of police officers at Maunatlala police. Ends