10 Jun 2015

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, has commended police officers for a strong work ethic inspite of the challenges they face.

Briefing Central District Council (CDC) members, Mr Kgathi said the reduction in crime was a clear indication that the police were  doing a magnificent job in the face of shortage of resources and facilities.


He stated that in the north central policing division, armed robbery reduced from 193 in 2012 to 122 in 2014. Mr Kgathi also noted that burglary and attempted burglary went down from 637 in 2012 to 431 in 2014.


However, the minister expressed concern over the statistics of rape and attempted rape and called on community leaders to lend the police a hand towards reducing the incidence of the crime.

In 2012, 484 rape and attempted rape cases were recorded against 571 reported in 2014.
Mr Kgathi revealed that he will table proposed improved conditions of service for the police to boost their morale. The minister however spoke tough against unbecoming behaviour among police officers.

“We want first class conduct from our officers,” he said. He appealed to councillors to report any inappropriate behaviour by members of the disciplined forces.


Mr Kgathi further informed the CDC that his ministry has since scrapped age restrictions for special constables. He said that any citizen above 18 years of age will qualify for the position of special constable.

Previously, one‘s age had to fall within the 18-24 years bracket to qualify.
Special constables will now be offered a 24 month contract as opposed to the previous six months. 


The minister appreciated the role played by special constables in complementing the work of police officers, and observed that they form a greater pool of recruits for constable positions.


Minister Kgathi also informed CDC councillors that his ministry is working with consultants from the Commonwealth on rehabilitation and sentencing policies.

He was positive that there are success stories of prisoners’ rehabilitation. The minister further said that they are considering sentences where convicts would serve within communities without necessarily going to prison and wearing prison regalia.


He revealed that there are 1 034 prison inmates in Central District prisons; 427 in Mahalapye, 331 in Serowe, 94 in Machaneng, 86 in Letlhakane and 82 at Baines Drift. Ends