17 Apr 2019

Botswana Police Service (BPS) handed over two police posts in Mmopane and Kopong on April 16.

The air conditioned offices each having a community centre, aconsultation room, five offices,  kitchen and ablution would be expected to address issues of shortage of office space and improve service delivery in crime prone areas.  

Mmopane and Kopong experienced high crime prevalence because of their proximity to the city.

Police visibility was also an issue in the two villages.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Mmopane, acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Tapudzani Gabolekwe, said BPS was ranked number one in Africa in providing services to the people.  

He also stated that BPS had 47 best policing services.

He, however, noted that crime was rampant in Mmopane.  

In 2017 alone, Mr Gabolekwe, said 737 cases of crime were registered while in 2018, 707 cases were recorded.  

Among those cases, he said many were assault cases and robberies while murder cases were few.

Officially handing over the offices in Kopong, deputy commissioner, crime investigations Mr David Mosetse stated that BPS had improved the office structures to make them comfortable to show respect to their clients.

He further said it was important that the public joined hands with the police to make life easier and their work more efficient.

Mr Mosetse also said KgomoKhumo campaign was initiated after realizing that many Batswana’s wealth was eroded by stocktheft.  

He said cattle was the pride and source of wealth for many Batswana and therefore they could not just sit and watch the wealth of many slip through their fingers hence the campaign.

He nevertheless urged the general public to work hand in hand with police and give them tips so that the suspects could be arraigned.

Deputy District Commissioner for Mogoditshane, Mr Gobe Macha thanked the police for the structures saying he believed the offices will act as a deterrent of crime.

He also said that they would like to see much visibility of police officers in the two villages as such can also scare criminals. ENDS