19 Oct 2015

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has expressed concern that there are some people in the community who are not willing to partake in cluster policing, especially urban communities and the youth.

Speaking at the 5th Cluster Awards ceremony, which was held at Maharaj where 111 clusters were selected to participate and compete for an award, Mr Kgathi said some communities did not partake in cluster policing despite the fact that they were the most affected either as victims or perpetrators of crime.

He, however, noted that the number of policing clusters in the country has increased from 568 at inception of the initiative to the current 705. “This increase in community participation in crime prevention has translated into positive returns in the form of notable reduction in major crimes such as break-in and robbery over the years and would like you to maintain this performance,” he said.

He noted that the provision of a safe and secure environment remained critical in promoting economic growth, adding that Botswana as part of the global community was confronted with complex security challenges such as cybercrime, terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering.

“It is for this reason that the government has continued to invest sustainably on issues of public security in line with National Development Plans and Vision 2016 commitments,” he said

Mr Kgathi challenged the clusters to intensify house to house campaigns targeting the concerned communities so as to win their trust and confidence. “I wish to emphasise that in community policing, there are no failures we are all winners because each one of us here has contributed something meaningful towards crime reduction in the country.

Therefore these prizes are meant to motivate as opposed to merely rewarding performance,” he expressed. He congratulated all clusters for their selfless sacrifice and hard work as evident in their consistent achievement of the target they have set for themselves in their respective areas.

“I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to share the best practices in crime reduction and prevention as well as strengthen furtherthe existing partnerships,” he said.
He added that partnerships survive on mutual trust and that communities need the Botswana Police Service to curb criminal activities as well as assist in times of emergency.

“The Botswana Police rely on the community to report crime as well as provide vital information to assist in solving crime related matters and other community problems. This co-existence is fundamental for effective policing,” he said.

Mr Kgathi said he was aware of the limited resources that the police service, including clusters operate under, adding that he would continue to advocate for the resourcing of law enforcement structures in terms of manpower and other support resources necessary to fight crime.

“Botswana needs capable men and women who are willing to make sacrifices for their country. We must do the best we can for this country because no one will come from outside to protect the nation,” he added.

In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Keabetswe Makgophe said cluster awards were important in the police calendar as they present an opportunity to strengthen further community policing, collaboration, including exploring areas for improvement.

“It is on this note that I wish to welcome and assure cluster members of the Botswana Police Service’s commitment to continue partnering with them for the effective delivery of law enforcement in this country,” he said. ENDS