27 Sep 2015

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, says the national vision pillar of a Safe and Secure Nation is achievable, thanks to the sterling job of the police and other security organs.

Mr Kgathi said during a kgotla meeting in Moshupa Thursday September 24 that Botswana was a free country owing to the thoroughness with which the police and other law enforcement agencies executed their duties. “Living in a free country, it must be said does not warrant indiscipline,” he stated.

Notwithstanding, Mr Kgathi said although there had been a general decline in crime countrywide, there were still pockets of crimes such as house breaking and theft, burglary and theft which were on the rise. He said for instance, in Moshupa there were eight cases of burglary and theft in 2014 which he stated had shot up to 23 by September this year.

 “In 2014, there were 23 cases of store breaking but already there are 17 such cases to date,”  said the minister. He assured residents that government had put in place measures to clamp down on illegal sand mining and livestock-theft.

The Bobonong legislator, cited introduction of mobile stock theft  court as among such interventions. “Let me also warn butcheries that scheme with livestock thieves that they will not escape the long-arm of the law,” he warned.

Mr Kgathi also called on Batswana to come forth with information on any suspicious criminal activity so that suspects could be arrested.

In his welcome address, Kgosi Oscar Mosielele complained about what he termed a clash of customary and the common laws, something he said made it difficult for Dikgosi to properly execute their duties.

He said there was need, therefore, to harmonise the two lest Dikgosi were rendered obsolete. For his part, Legal Aid Botswana (LAB) official, Mr Oduetse Langwane, implored Batswana to take advantage of services his organisation provided.  

The organisation, he said, provided services such as legal advice and representation at magistrate courts, High Court, Industrial Court, Land Tribunal and Court of Appeal.

Langwane told the gathering LAB’s aim was to make legal aid available to people without means to pay for legal services. In addition, Mr Langwane stated only Botswana citizens who cannot afford a lawyer were eligible for legal aid.

The services, he said, would be free of charge until April 2016 when a nominal fee would be charged. Commenting, one of the residents, Mr Abram Kgwatlhane, shared Mr Kgathi’s sentiments that the war against crime could only be won if Batswana worked hand in hand with the police.

In response, Mr Kgathi concurred the clash between common and customary laws required harmonisation. He said Ntlo Ya Dikgosi was the right platform to address the matter. ENDS