13 Nov 2017

Commissioner of Botswana Police, Mr Keabetswe Makgophe says the police are  concerned about suspects who commit crime whilst on bail.

Officiating at the 60 days on Crime and Road safety launch held in Palapye recently, Mr Makgophe said the law allows for suspects to be granted bail hence the community should respect the rule of the law.

However, he urged them to help the police arrest suspects who commit criminal offences whilst on bail by reporting any slightest mistake they do.

He said the police would immediately take action on such suspects, to show the magistrate courts that such suspects were a menace to society.

Mr Makgophe urged the community to plead with their respective MPs and councillors to look into the issue of bail and amend the law as requested by the public.

He said the police had a duty to arrest suspects and bring them before the courts but it was upon the courts to try the suspects or grant them bail as such the police cannot question the decision taken by the court.

Mr Makgophe said there were disturbing reports of suspects who did not adhere to bail conditions as such fail to report to the police as required.

He said the police were compelled to re-arrest such suspects and bring them before the court adding that this was a waste of government resources.

Furthermore, Mr Makgophe informed Palapye community that he would fight corruption within the police service.

He urged the community to desist from bribing the police particularly after committing road traffic offences. He urged them to report any form of corruption committed by the police.

Mr Makgophe added that launching the 60 days of action on crime and road safety campaign would help the police enhance security by enhancing patrols and setting up road blocks.

He said the police had done enough to educate the public hence the shift to focus on law enforcement.
He said the police were going do their best to ensure safety on the roads by taking action against those who commit traffic offences, adding that they would not forgive anyone who commits traffic offences because road accidents were increasing at an alarming rate.

He also informed the community that the police would continue doing their best to arrest people who deal with drugs and dagga, adding that 189 people had been arrested since October in connection with the sale of drugs and dagga.

He said majority of the arrested people were elderly women who sell dagga to students. He also urged them to desist from buying stolen goods particularly cellphones and laptops.

For his part, Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund chief executive officer, Mr Michael Tlhagwane said road accidents were continuing to claim lives and going up every year.

He said a total of 377 casualties were recorded in 2014, whilst 411 and 450 casualties were recorded in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

He said since January to October this year, a total of 344 casualties were recorded.

He said 90 per cent of accidents occured as a result of over speeding and reckless driving.

Mr Tlhagwane said 80 per cent of drivers exceed the speed limit in a 60km/h speed zone.

He pleaded with motorists to reduce accidents as they affect the community socially and economically and in addition very costly for the government through MVA, which takes care of orphaned child and families of the deceased. BOPA