27 Feb 2018

The Botswana Police Service’s Special Support Group has donated a two-bedroomed house worth P95 000 to Ms Tebogo Moroka of Dikgonnye in Mochudi west constituency.

Speaking during the official handing over of the house on February 22, the Commissioner of Botswana Police Service, Mr Keabetswe Makgophe said they were happy to be partnering with the community not only in crime prevention, but also by undertaking social responsibility initiatives.

He said the construction of the house was in response to the call made by President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama to help house the needy across the country.

Mr Makgophe said the police were among the many who had responded positively to the call by President Khama after he launched the housing initiative when he ascended to the presidency in 2008.

The Commissioner also said they were responding to the instruction of God to help those who were in need.

He said he believed the house would be of help to the family against harsh weather and other unfavourable conditions. He added that their dignity was also restored.

Mr Makgophe commended the Special Support Group for their donation, saying it would remain engraved in the hearts of many.

He said it showed that the police do not only arrest criminals, but also help communities that they serve.

Mr Makgophe said by providing housing to the family, they were curbing crime which the children could have engaged in if they did not grow with good shelter and care.

He said as the police they were committed to providing partnerships with the community.

When giving the project overview, the Commander of the Special Support Group, Senior Assistant Commissioner Kedikilwe Dikgang said it was their second project after they built another house in Xere.

He said the house was built through contributions of members of the Special Support Group, and that they contributed P95 000 which was used to build the house.

Mr Dikgang said the construction of the house started last December, and that it has now been completed for the family to move in.

He said they identified the beneficiary through social workers and bogosi, and that the project was done out of love as the SSG volunteered to help.

Mr Dikgang thanked all stakeholders who helped in the construction and completion of the house, adding that they would continue to extend a helping hand to others across the country.

Ms Tebogo Moroka could not hold back her joy and happiness, as she took to the podium to narrate how blessed she was to be living in a house she never dreamt of.

She said the house was beautiful and that she could never have had a house like it had God not sent the SSG to her.

Ms Moroka said the house would protect her against the rain which used to trouble her when she did not have a house, adding that her dignity has been restored.

In his welcoming remarks, deputy paramount chief of Bakgatla, Kgosi Bana Sekai said it was a joyous moment as the police kept coming to Kgatleng to donate a house which would be valuable to a needy family.

He noted that last year the police donated a house in Leshibitse, and that they have come to Dikgonnye for the same gesture.

Kgosi Sekai said it showed that the police do care and love the community which they serve. He commended them for the good gesture.

Giving a vote of thanks, area councillor, Ms Reginah Rakgati commended the police for a job well done.

She implored the family to be strong and find ways of making ends meet as life was not easy but needed someone to work hard.ENDS