21 Mar 2013

Cross-border crime has been described as a serious threat to the nation that needs to be addressed without delay.

 

In his contribution to the debate on the proposed budget for the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security in Parliament, Nkange MP Mr Edwin Batshu said the problem was rife in his constituency where the country shared the border with neighbouring Zimbabwe.

 

Mr Batshu noted that although the crime was diverse, it affected mostly livestock. He thus appealed for enhanced collaboration between the Botswana Police Service and their Zimbabwean counterparts.

 

MP Batshu also emphasised the need for the speedy return to Botswana of stolen goods and property found in Zimbabwe. On another matter, Mr Batshu who is labour and home affairs minister requested that the design of  Tutume Police Station, which was planned for the 2015/16 financial year, be undertaken forthwith as the recent arson attack on the Tutume CID offices worsened the shortage of police office accommodation in Tutume.

 

For her part, MP for Mahalapye East, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso commended the ministry on the proposed legislation on human trafficking.

 

Ms Tshireletso, who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, expressed concern about the growing rate of rape incidents as well as that of Batswana who continue to fall prey to conmen.

 

She also called on government to do something about the state of Dibete Police Station, which, she said, was dilapidated.

 

Also contributing to the debate, Tswapong South MP, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi urged government to consider increasing the numbers of police officers in villages such as Tumasera and Chadibe where, he said, there were serious shortages.

 

Mr Molebatsi, who is also Assistant Minister of Agriculture, asked government to build a police station in Ramokgonami, noting that getting policing services from Sherwood disadvantaged residents.

 

MP Molebatsi also complained about the inaccessibility of Limpopo river because of the private farms from Sherwood to Parrs Halt, which he said, made border patrol difficult.

Minister for Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse had earlier presented for approval a proposed budget of over P3 billion for his ministry for the 2013/2014 financial year. ENDS