30 Jan 2019

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has informed Ntlo ya Dikgosi that 17 Botswana motor vehicles were stolen in South Africa in 2017 and 22 in 2018.

Responding to a question from Kgosi Colly Cock of Thamaga Region this week at the ongoing Ntlo ya Dikgosi session, Minister Kgathi said 16 cases involving stolen vehicles from South Africa were registered in 2017 while nine were registered in 2018.

He said measures in place to address theft of motor vehicles included public awareness where the public was constantly informed through various media platforms about the security of their vehicles.

He noted that police officers deployed at border posts also sensitised the public about the security of their vehicles as and when they crossed to South Africa.

He explained that in case a motor vehicle was stolen in either country, particulars of the said vehicle were circulated in the INTERPOL database, which was a tool used by the police internationally for checking stolen motor vehicles.

Minister Kgathi said the INTERPOL tool has proven to be effective as stolen vehicles were occasionally intercepted at border posts.

In addition, he said Botswana Police Service and the South African Police Service shared bilateral relations meant to facilitate an easy way of sharing information, detection of crime and crime trends.

Kgosi Cock had asked the minister to state the number of Botswana vehicles stolen in South Africa in the year 2017/18, and how many cases were registered in Botswana involving vehicles from South Africa.

He further wanted to know what security measures were in place to address the matter. Ends