03 Jul 2018

Police deputy commissioner- Support Services, Mr Tapudzani Gabolokwe says shelter is a basic right which enables one to have a sense of pride, privacy and protect them from harsh weather.

Mr Gabolekwe was speaking during the official handing over of a house to Ms Segogwanyane Segogonaka and her family at Pitsaneng ward in Kanye recently .

The two bed roomed house was built by Botswana Police College staff in collaboration with the community and a cost P95 000.

He said the donation was consistent with their corporate social responsibility policy and government initiatives on poverty alleviation.

The donation he said recognised the need to attain social inclusion to reduce poverty as encapsulated in the National Vision 2036 pillar on Human and Social Development. 

He said Batswana were known to be a symbiotic nation that lent one another support in times of need, a mutual relationship that had been demonstrated from time immemorial through different traditional fora such as mafisa, letsema, mophato and other similar arrangements.

He appreciated the gesture saying it showed love, commitment, team spirit and willingness to house a fellow citizen.

He also thanked the village leadership for their role and the invaluable contribution of local and business community in ensuring that the project was a success.

“It is in this spirit that the police have seen the need to invoke community support in the prevention of crime,” he said.

He said the initiative had evolved with time to suit different policing environments.

Mr Gabolekwe said Bangwaketse supported community policing initiatives. 

The deputy commissioner planted three fruits trees.

Accepting the donation, Ms Segogonaka said she received the gift with gratitude.

Earlier the director of training, Senior Assistant Commissioner, Mr Phemelo Ramankorwane stated that officers contributed from their pockets. 

He said they started the project in 2015 with 14 police officers. Ends