30 May 2016

 Assistant Police Commissioner  Ms Dinah Marathe has called on tourism operators in the Maun area to work together with the police in fighting crime.

Speaking at a meeting with the tourism operators in Maun on May 27, Assistant Commissioner Marathe said the police were challenged with limited resources like transport to execute their duties such as patrols. 

She said with combined efforts, the tourism operators might come up with strategies to assist the police.

She however noted that there were no alarming cases of criminal activities affecting Chobe and Ngamiland as the mainstay of tourism in the country.

“But we do not want to relax as things are changing globally. We don’t want to remain behind as Botswana,” she said. 

She observed that there was crime dynamics at global level therefore it was necessary for Botswana to be vigilant.

Assistant Commissioner said dialogue between the police and the business people was crucial to receive feedback and maintain good practices, therefore urged the business people and the police to revive the dialogue platform that used to be.

She advised the tourism business people to ensure good records keeping which would help in times of crime investigations as well as employing trained security personnel.

The tourism operators complained that some criminal activities that took place at their premises failed to be tried because they affected tourists who would have left Botswana.

Mr Bob Sekeseke of Audi Camp Safaris appreciated the police, he said their camp used to experience criminal break-ins but had since stopped due to police patrols.

Cresta Riley’s manager, Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba said the Tourism Security Network had helped to reduce criminal activities since its formation in 2006.

Mr Shumba said crime damaged reputation of tourism operators and it had to be attended to lest tourists bypassed Maun area.

He commended the police for their efforts and partnership with tourism operators.

In her remarks, Assistant Commissioner CID divisional Commander (North), Oabitsa Rankwaila encouraged the tourism operator to employ trained and literate security personnel capable of detecting criminals.

Assistant Commissioner Rankwaila said illiterate and incompetent security persons were not of assistance to the business people.

She noted that Maun and its vicinity was a big area and the right security personnel would help avoid issues of clients attacked in tourism facilities as it had happened before. Ends