22 Apr 2019

 Most of criminal activities reported to the police point to the high involvement of men in crime as compared to women.

Botswana Police Service acting police commissioner, Mr Tapudzani Gabolekwe, therefore, called on men to assess themselves and ponder why the scale had swayed towards them.

 When handing over Kumakwane and Gabane police post offices recently, Mr Gabolekwe said whether it was cases of assault bodily harm, rape, unlawful wounding or issues of gender-based violence, men were always cited as perpetrators.

“This calls for dialogue among men throughout the country as to why they are always highlighted in bad criminal behaviour,” he said.

 Mr Gabolekwe said the impact of such violence on women and children was disheartening hence the need for intervention.

 As for Kumakwane, he said, the village had not been recording high cases of criminal activities despite rampant illegal sand mining.

 However, the same cannot be said about Gabane, which he attributed its unfortunate record to its proximity to Gaborone.

 Among the criminal activities on the rise include burglary and theft, housebreaking and theft, robbery, rape, and attempted rape, stealing from a person and common theft.

 However, he said the police service had a mandate of protecting life and property.

 In Kumakwane, the area Member of Parliament, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo applauded the police for handing over the post to the villagers.

 He said the development signaled an effort by the government to bring services closer to the people and he encouraged the village to help the police with accommodation.

 Mr Mabeo also said police visibility among the villagers would bring peace as it had the power to frustrate criminal intent.

 While in Gabane, the area Member of Parliament Major Gen Pius Mokgware pleaded with the police to increase manpower and other supporting services to enable the police to adequately do their job.

 He said the high crime rates which at times led to deaths of victims could only be contained by qualified police personnel who were supported with needful resources such as vehicles.

 Major Gen Mokgware highlighted that crime prevention clusters needed support of the police.

 The two offices, which were awarded in 2016 were each built to a tune of P850 000. Ends