19 Jan 2016

Residents of Monarch in Francistown have decried the high crime rate in their location.

One of the residents, Ms Silver Kenosi, explained that the area had been turned into a crime ‘business’ area as he was robbed by thieves day light while walking on the street. 

Ms Kenosi pleaded with the government to increase the number of Criminal Investigation Department and Special Support Group officers to patrol the Monarch.

These concerns came out during a kgotla meeting addressed by Member of Parliament (MP) for Francistown West, Mr Ignatius Moswaane.

Ms Kenosi stated that there was no peace in Monarch because the area prone to crime. 

She, however, urged government to give chiefs more powers to punish criminals by engaging them in extra mural work that will benefit the nation rather than seeing them roaming around the streets. 

Ms Margaret Lejage said she was  concerned about hawkers from other countries who sold in their street without hawker’s license.

She said they were selling house to house freely without hesitation and according to her understanding some of the small businesses were  meant for Batswana. 

Ms Lejage also complained about backyard garages that he said were a health hazard not only to the people but also to the environment because they spill oil all over the ground.

Meanwhile, Monarch Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairperson, Ms Letsese Keoralese, requested WDC offices to be constructed in their own plots.

Ms Keoraletse also requested for WDC allowance increment adding that their wages were always delayed and that made their work difficult.

In his response, MP Moswaane said police could not successfully combat crime on their own, therefore it was important for the residents to join hands with them in their quest to fight crime.

He said Monarch was the hardest hit by crime, stressing that crimes such as common nuisance, use of vulgar language, defilement and street robbery were on the rise in the location. Furthermore, he stressed that parents should instil discipline in their children to mould them into responsible citizens.

MP Moswaane said locals collaborated with illegal immigrants to commit crime, stressing that there is a high rate of house breaking at Phase V, where gadgets such as laptops, cameras and plasma television sets are stolen and the culprits are Batswana and illegal immigrants.

He urged residents to stop harbouring criminals and illegal immigrants, further expressing his displeasure at the high rate of drug abuse in Monarch. 

He observed that youth smoke marijuana and some recently graduated to hard other intoxications. 

 

MP also urged residents to stop buying stolen goods because they are committing crime and said he will request for the operation that will  take away illegal immigrants who operate garages. Ends