12 Sep 2016

Former Tatitown Customary Court President, Ms Ludo Mosojane has warned police officers about the dangers of internalising trauma and advised them on how to cope with stress.

Speaking at the Botswana Police Service Wellness Day at Francistown College of Training and Vocational Education on Friday (September 9), she commended them for introducing wellness programmes as a way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle amongst its employees. 

She said an outstanding performance of an organisation was dependent on a healthy and productive workforce.  

Ms Mosojane called on police officers to continue with the programme, saying the nature of their duty requires a physically and mentally fit workforce.  

Ms Mosojane encouraged police officers to employ possible means of managing stress when on or off duty because they were confronted with different challenges in their daily duties. 

“Stress can affect your work if not properly managed, therefore it is important to acknowledge there is a problem and seek advice in time. No one should claim it is okay whereas everyone sees it is not okay,” she said. 

“Share the problem even if you feel guilty, forgive yourself and seek professional help from colleagues,” she added. 

Furthermore, she said the door to stress would be permanently closed or practically manageable if officers keep their body fit, heart flexible, mind open and also expand their comfort zones. 

Giving a vote of thanks, divisional commander for North senior assistant commissioner Dinah Marathe said the wellness programme was initiated by the Botswana Police for the purpose of maintaining physical fitness and good health in the workplace.  She said regular physical training, healthy eating and screening for life threatening diseases would enable them to maintain a healthy life. 

Ms Marathe also thanked Brigadier Joseph Seelo for the support he gave to the police, adding that he made the day a success by deploying some of his staff well in time and offering personnel such as aerobics instructors.

She noted that as every Motswana is gearing for the 50 years independence celebrations, Brigadier Seelo and her had a tough task of ensuring that Batswana enjoy the anniversary crime free. 

The event was aimed at sensitising and imparting knowledge to the police officers on various diseases that continue to pose challenges to the workplace.

The theme for the day was ‘My Health, Your Health, Our Health; Together We make Healthy and Productive Nation Today and Beyond.’ ENDS