21 Mar 2018

Some traditional leaders have urged Maun police to utilise the little resources at their disposal effectively in order to curb the escalating crime rate in their policing areas.

They expressed concerns during a workshop that their efforts to fight crime were frustrated by lack of transport in their respective areas. They appreciated that the vehicles were not enough but believed that if they could be distributed equally and placed in strategic points that could make a huge impact and bring desired results. 

Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi of Chanoga complained that Maun was given priority as compared to the surrounding areas while other areas were advised to submit a request.

“You are putting more effort and energy in Maun and we at the outside villages are suffering and yet we are willing to join hands and end crime in our district. Time has come to strategise given the resources at our disposal,” he added. Kgosi Setlhodi advised them to have a schedule to cater for all the areas in their jurisdiction to ensure resources were utilised in an equal manner.

Kgosi Gaolatlhe Kgosigaenyatswe of Nxaraga concurred with him noting that they were faced with a serious challenge of transport to execute their duties effectively.

The cases, he said dated back to 2015. Kgosi Kgosigaenyatswe also wished the police in collaboration with crime prevention committees could revise their strategy of patrol citing that the criminals are aware that they knock off at 8 pm and “that is the time they started parading and robbing people their hard earned property”.

Kgosi Molefabangwe Setlhare of Sanyedi ward in Maun, said it was a pity that all types of criminalactivities were done in his ward due to proximity to the shopping centre.

In his response, Assistant Superintendent Chenamo Orateng said they were all aware of crime incidents in the area adding that efforts were being made to arrest the situation.

He said to address the situation, they had reinforced their patrol team over the weekends as the team knocks off around 4am. The team comprised police officers and some officers from Special Support Group and Botswana Defence Force.

He also noted that they were doing all in their power to distribute the little resources at their disposal equally. ENDS