13 Jun 2017

There is a need for people to expose criminals in order for the country to redeem its image and to enable businesses to flourish, says Business Botswana president, Mr Lokwalo Mosienyane.

Addressing attendants after a business community awareness walk on June 10 which targeted the shopping centres of Molapo Crossing, West Gate Mall, Gaborone West Shopping Complex and Bonnington Mall, Mr Mosienyane said it was a fact that criminals were born from families, and that such families knew them and should therefore expose their acts.

He said by harbouring and concelling the bad deeds of such people was tantamount to encouraging them to continue engaging in criminal activities.

He added that it was a threat to business establishment, especially by foreigners and the socio-economic prosperity of the country.

Mr Mosienyane argued that Botswana’s population did not warrant having criminal activities, adding that there was a need to safeguard the image of the country by ensuring that peace and tranquility prevailed.

He saluted the police for ensuring that the country was secure.

Mr Mosienyane added that since the police were at the forefront of fighting crime, they should be rewarded for their good work.

He also called for the proper and constant counselling of police officers, saying they encountered emotional and traumatic situations in their line of duty.

Furthermore, he said the police should be provided with quality and smart uniforms that would attract more youth to join the profession.

Mr Mosienyane also decried the high level of white collar crime in offices and business establishments, advising business owners to ensure that there was proper surveillance in their businesses to deter planned criminal activities.

Giving encouragement, District Traffic Officer No.13, Superintendent Boiki Mojalemotho urged the business community to partner with the police in the fight against crime.

He said the police would ensure that that they use all their resources, including personnel, to fight crime.

Supt. Mojalemotho noted that businesses by their nature attracted criminals and urged business owners to deposit their cash with banks and not to keep it in residential houses.

He also urged them to install surveillance cameras in their businesses as well as to employ security guards.

Meanwhile, Gaborone West business community chairperson, Mr Boemo Mokubung said the walk was the beginning of a series of events which they had planned.

He said they would work with the police and the public to rid themselves of criminals within their community.

Gaborone West Police Station Commander, Superintendent Howard Moyo said the 2015/16 crime statistics showed a decline in reported criminal activities.

As for bar breaking, he said there were four incidents in 2015 and non in 2016 while eight incidents of store breaking were recorded in 2015 and four in 2016.

He said the police also recorded 48 incidents of breaking into motor vehicles in 2015 as opposed to 32 in 2016. He added that 33 incidents of theft common were registered in 2015 compared to 19 in 2016.

He also noted that four incidents of school breakings were recorded in 2015 compared to three in 2016.

With regard to office breakings, he said they recorded nine in 2015 and 17 in 2016.

In 2015, they recorded nine incidents of shop breaking and the number jumped to 14 the following year.

The walk, led by the SSG band and members of the community, was also attended by business people from Gaborone West and Block 6 policing clusters.

The walk, which was held under the theme: 'Mobilise and sensitise business community on crime,' received the largest response at Gaborone West Shopping Complex as many people came to witness the march and receive messages. ENDS