25 May 2016

Botswana North Divisional Police Commander, Ms Dinah Marathe has hailed the cooperation between Botswana and Namibia for contributing to the reduction of cross-border crime between the two countries. 

Speaking at the official opening of the three day interstate meeting between Botswana and Namibia in Maun on Tuesday, Ms Marathe said over the years the two countries had shown great commitment and team spirit and were able to achieve a lot of which include reduction of crime around the borders.

 She said the two countries have been working together to fight crime through activities such as joint patrolling, joint public education as well as sharing of intelligence.

She however highlighted that the main crime that they are still faced with and still trying to fight  is poaching between the two countries. “Poaching between Namibia and Botswana borders is still a major concern,” she added.

She further said the working relationship between the two countries also helps in ensuring and facilitating safety of people’s goods when crossing borders.

 Ms Marathe said the ongoing meeting is a follow up on the meeting they held in Otjiwarongo in Namibia where they passed a resolution that the three regions of Namibia being Kavango East, Zambezi and Otjozondjupa should combine and meet in Botswana in one forum instead of three.

Kavango East commissioner Ms Johanna Ngondo shared the same sentiments emphasising that the cooperation between Botswana and Namibia is satisfactory as the two have worked together harmoniously to fight crime happening around their borders.

Ms Ngondo added that the only worrying crime that is still left behind is poaching adding that the situation is however manageable. ENDS