08 Jun 2016

Government is consulting Batswana on how to fight crime.Some of the interventions would be strengthening of the penal code and related laws, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has said.

Addressing residents of Mmopane recently, he said consultations were meant to close loopholes in some laws that deal with crime. 

The minister said laws on accidents caused by drunken driving, laws on armed robbery, murder, homicides and defilement must be reviewed to cater for concerns raised by the public.   He urged residents to appreciate that they were an important part of the larger security community. He said the police alone could not manage.

The minister said even if numbers of police could be increased or equipped with guns and vehicles, or laws made tough that would not reduce criminal activities up until individuals commit to assist the police in their duty of uprooting crime.

Mr Kgathi said for crime to be greatly reduced residents must desist from renting out their homes to illegal immigrants, as most of them had been found to be criminal syndicates involved in armed robbery, housing break-ins and stealing of goods.

He said most of illegal immigrants who committed crime led security agents to Mmopane where they were renting some housing units to stock stolen goods. He implored residents to desist from such as these defeats efforts to fight crime.

The minister said crime was not only committed by illegal immigrants, but also by residents who employ them illegally in farms and as household helpers and as such urged them to regularize their stay in the country with relevant authorities.

 He also raised a concern of drugs and substance abuse especially among school going children, a behavior that has the potential to affect children’s studies. He blamed some parents for selling drugs to students.

For their part, residents called for the re-introduction of police/military night patrols which they said managed to curb lawlessness through stop and search at night, apprehending would be criminals. The minister however said some politicians are against such patrols especially of the military policing civilians.

On other issues they called on government to form a task force focusing on fighting illegal sand and gravel harvesting which has not only destroyed natural water ponds, but has created trenches which claimed young lives swimming in water collected into those trenches.Other speakers called for scrapping off bailout for rape, murder and armed robbers because when released on bail, they continue to engage in illegal activities. 

Residents also pleaded with the ministry to put into law the incarceration of border jumpers before they are deported. They said just deporting them was costly to government because illegal immigrants always find quick ways back into Botswana. 

Other residents called on corporal punishment on illegal immigrants before they are deported to deter them from crossing back illegally. ENDS