14 Jul 2014

Gaborone residents had sigh of relief after the police cracked down a syndicate of criminal gangs that used to terrorise them.

The syndicate, moving around in groups, robbed a number of individuals their valuable items, shops, and in some cases broke in some compounds.

However, the police denied that these gangs were a spill-over of similar syndicates in the nearby villages of Gabane and Mogoditshane. One resident who did not want to be identified said they has been living in fear in the past as Gaborone West had been the headlines in recent times due to insecurity.

The resident, who lives in Phase Two, one of the areas hard-hit by criminal activities, said he believed that Gaborone West had been one of the breeding grounds for criminal gangs in the recent past.

Meanwhile, Gaborone West police station commander, Superintendent Agreement Mapeu said most of the gang members who were in their 20s were from Old Naledi and Bontleng areas, adding that recently they arrested part of the syndicate after robbing a Wimpy shop in one of the filling stations in Gaborone West.

“Yes, I can confirm that we arrested one group that comprised of five young boys after they robbed Wimpy shop and three of them are remanded in custody while two are still helping the police with  investigations,” he said.

Superintendent Mapeu explained that the arrest followed a series of armed robberies at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Meat Market in Block 9 shopping complex and Wimpy in which an undisclosed amount of cash and goods were stolen. In all these outlets, the gang stole cellphones, airtime and cash.

He said most members of the gangs had pending cases of armed robberies in Broadhurst and Central police stations. The station commander said police officers were doing daily patrols and assured residents that the culprits would be brought to book.

Superintendent Mapeu said ever since they arrested the group, the situation had gone back to normal after the police intensified their foot and night patrols in Phase Two, Block 9, Phase Four and Kgale View.

He explained that during the day, they dispatched a team of police officers who foot patrolled in these areas while joint patrols in conjunction with the Botswana Defence force (BDF) members were conducted during the night.

The police visibility has also been increased in chain stores such as Choppies in Westgate Mall, Payless at Molapo Crossing and others at Game City. ENDS