09 Jun 2015

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) will continue to augment wildlife officers in anti-poaching operations.

BDF commander, Major General Gaolathe Galebotswe said this at the ongoing Public Accounts Committee session on June 8. He stated that BDF soldiers started being involved in anti-poaching operations in 1987, prompted by instability in some neighbouring countries.

Maj. Gen. Galebotswe said even though the soldiers were not trained for anti-poaching, there was a pre-deployment training that they usually went through as a way of preparing them for such missions.

Nonetheless, BDF soldiers did not only enhance wildlife officers, they also work with the police officers in their patrol assignments.

A member of the PAC, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, who is also the MP for Selibe Phikwe West had asked the BDF Commander to tell the PAC why were the soldiers being assigned anti-poaching activities while they were not trained for the job.

He had also wanted to know why were the soldiers involved in patrols with the police since they were not trained as law enforcement officers and what was being done to prepare those soldiers for such assignments.

In response Maj. Gen. Galebotswe said it was not like the BDF had taken the patrol operations from the police, noting that patrols were still coordinated by the police, hence the soldiers would be there to supplement.

On the issue of shoot to kill policy, Maj. Gen. Galebotswe said as an organisation there were never given the right to shoot on sight, but there were certain conditions that could allow the soldiers to shoot.

He cited a scenario where poachers were being challenged and they responded in an aggressive manner, and the officers would have no choice but shoot to kill.

Meanwhile, another PAC member, Mr Polson Majaga, who is the MP for Nata/Gweta observed that in recent years, the BDF saw a number of officers leaving the barracks and asked the commander to shed light on what might be the cause of many exits.

In response, the commander said, BDF just like any other jobs, people would leave for greener pastures while others left the army because of the condition of service.

He added that there was also a ten year contract at the BDF, where soldiers had the option of leaving after serving for ten years or they continue working. ENDS