22 Apr 2018

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Shaw Kgathi has commended special constables for doing ‘a sterling job’ in providing police services to the community.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Mmathubudukwane recently, Mr Kgathi said since the introduction of the special constables’ programme within the Botswana Police Service, there had been an improvement in the policing services. 

He spoke against people who underrated police constables, saying they should be given the respect they deserved just like any other police officer on duty.

He appealed to residents to appreciate the duties they performed and their importance in the community, adding that special constables were well trained on police rules and regulations.

Minister Kgathi said they were part of the mainstream police who were now entitled to enjoy benefits which they did not have previously.

He said their contract ran for 24 months and they were allowed to go for maternity leave as well as be given 20 per cent salary allowance and that they were also entitled to vacation leave.

The minister encouraged them to join the police service more so that they were given priority to join on a permanent and pensionable basis with the age limit being 30 years.

Mr Kgathi further said for those who did not have enough points to join the police service, they should strive to increase their points. He said currently there were 3 657 special constables across the country and implored them to continue to perform to their best.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the Village Development Committee, Ms Naomi Lekgabe reported shortage of vehicles for the police which led them to failing to attend to reports. 

In his response Mr Kgathi said he had received many reports of accidents caused by police officers with many vehicles being destroyed leading to shortage. He therefore asked the communities to help report reckless drivers.

The minister visited the police station which is under construction in the village to check on its progress. 

Project manager from DBES Mr Zambia Champi said the project was at 59 per  cent and had been delayed by shortage of bricks after their supplier Lobatse Clay Works could not deliver bricks.

He however promised to deliver the  P161 million project on time and to schedule.  The project consists of administration block, 55 housing units, holding cell, playgrounds, a gym and  internal roads. ENDS