22 Oct 2017

General crime statistics have shown a decline across the country, President Lieutenant General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has said.

President Khama noted this at a kgotla meeting in Sebina on October 19, stating that general crime had shown a great decline.

He said this was an indication that the police were up in arms to fight crime and make the country safe but implored Batswana to also play a meaningful role in fighting crime.

Meanwhile, in his response to Kgosi Shathani Mokoka of Sebina, who had requested government to speed up construction of their police station, the President said the station was scheduled to be built in the 2018/2019 financial year and emphasised the plan still stood.

He added that even without the station, officers had shown dedication to their work, hence such a decline in crime.

In addition, Kgosi Mokoka informed the President that they were concerned by the high number of stock theft cases with perpetrators preferring magistrate to customary courts. 

Kgosi Mokoka pointed out that most of the cases taken to magistrates’ courts ended up failing because it took long for suspects to be tried, hence exhibits ended up being destroyed.

Such he said resulted in perpetrators continuing with criminal acts without feeling the pinch of the law.

Kgosi Mokoka said something needed to be done for justice to prevail.

The Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Mr Thabologo Mabuku appreciated government for upgrading their clinic to a hospital and requested for an additional doctor.

Mr Mabuku requested the Ministry of Basic Education to consider turning Shangano Junior Secondary School into a boarding facility since it enrolled students from as far as Makuta and surrounding lands.

In response, the minister responsible, Dr Unity Dow said their budget was already tight to refurbish and address shortages in some boarding facilities such as John Nswazwi School in Marapong and could not promise anything any time soon.

One of the residents, Ms Boga Moumakwa said lack of employment opportunities affected parents.

She said she has two children who are Diploma and Degree holders but were staying home with nothing to do.

Ms Moumakwa said being an Ipelegeng beneficiary herself, it was difficult to continue caring for them.

In response, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng said government had set up different youth programmes, which young people should take advantage of.  

Mr Olopeng said youth should not only seek employment but rather create jobs for themselves and others. ENDS