22 Nov 2016

Botswana Police Service (BPS) has launched Police Service Retired Members Association (BPSRMA).

Speaking during launch of BPSRMA in Palapye recently, former police commissioner, Mr Norman Moleboge, urged retired police officers to join the newly established association.

Mr Moleboge said the association was formed to look into the welfare of retired police officers.

“I wish for the membership to take-off as soon as possible,’ appealed the retired commissioner who also served the country as a diplomat upon retirement in 2004.

Mr Moleboge further updated the retirees about the membership to the Botswana Police Welfare Schemes again pleading to former members of the police service who had opted out of the schemes to rejoin them as that will yield them tangible benefits during life after retirement.

The schemes are Savings and Loan Guarantee Scheme, Police Relief Fund which are supported by the Police Act and the Group Funeral Scheme.

Mr Moleboge said of the 761 retirees only 339 are still members of the Police Relief Fund.

The scheme is a funeral policy used to cover officers and their spouses yielding benefits of P40 000 at only P40 monthly contribution.

For his part, retired commissioner of police Mr Thebeyame Tsimako expressed disappointment at the rate in which welfare schemes had been abandoned at the time when officers retire.

‘I am sad to hear the enthusiasm about the scheme has faded. It was going to do us a lot of good,’ referring to Group Funeral Scheme.

Mr Tsimako during his time had travelled the breadth and length of the country selling the scheme to serving officers and was well received.

The  formation of the association was met with jubilation and praised by attendees among them the host, Divisional Commander Mr Christopher Mbulawa.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Mbulawa said the association will bring hope to retirees and a sense of belonging.

‘It is very important as it will bring us unity and make us become a family. There is that feeling of togetherness,’ he affirmed.

Mr Tymon Katlholo, who served as the Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had this to say, ‘People should not feel like spent cartridges after retirement,’ referring to the wealth of experience that retirees have.

The association, which is still in its infancy period met in Palapye to forge the way forward as  members unanimously voted to endorse and adopt the constitution.

Leading the proceedings of the gathering, Mr Moleboge, who is the chairman of the Interim Committee pleaded with retired officers who attended the meeting to recruit fellow retirees to the association as it is meant for them.

The meeting which was attended in numbers was a smooth and successful event as the prospective members deliberated on its mandate and agenda without fear or favor.

The prospective members also elected to let the current interim committee continue serving so as to preserve and sustain the momentum.

Mr Desmond Madeswi, a retired senior superintendent – Traffic supported the motion saying they already have the experience and know-how of running the association.

The committee intends to pursue and reason with the 422 retirees who opted out of the welfare schemes.

The interim committee is manned by Mr Moleboge (president), Mr James Duha (vice president), Mr Molefhe  Sejoe (secretary general), Dolly Motladiile (vice secretary general) and Salome Jankie as the treasurer. BOPA