14 Nov 2019

Botswana Police Service (BPS) commissioner Mr Keabetswe Makgophe has vowed to throw the book at those who will engage in criminal activities during the festive season. 

Launching the 60 days of action against crime and road safety in Tonota on November 14, Commissioner Makgophe said most criminal activities and fatal accidents occurred during the festive season hence the need for police to be more vigilant. 

He said the festive season had ceased to be a period where families and friends came together to celebrate the birth of Christ and was instead a time for mourning those who perished in road accidents and other criminal activities. 

Mr Makgophe said apart from robbing people of their lives, road accidents also left police traumatised.  

In addition, Mr Makgophe said a high number of domestic violence and Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases perpetrated especially on women and girls, were also recorded during the festive season. 

Police would be firm in applying the law and appealed to complainants of GBV to desist from withdrawing cases. 

He said a country with high crime statistics would not attract investors who could otherwise assist in employment creation and economic. 

“There is no investor who can come and invest in a country that is inundated with criminal activities,” he said.

He said 389 deaths due to road accidents had been recorded since the beginning of the year countrywide with young people predominantly affected due to speeding, drinking and driving as well as reckless driving. 

On murder cases, he said 255 people were killed this year with over 100 of them being women killed by their partners. 

Mr Makgophe said rape cases also increased sharply with a total of over 1 700 cases being registered from the beginning of this year to date. 

“This is a drawback for the country because efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS infection are defeated,” he said adding that defilement cases were also on the rise. 

On other issues, Commissioner Makgophe appealed to motorists to desist from bribing police officers when charged with traffic offences explaining that such actions amounted to corruption. 

Mr Makgophe also advised entrepreneurs not to leave their business premises unattended, intensify security and avoid leaving large sums of money on the property during the festive season. 

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse of Tonota said crime and road accidents could only be reduced if there was a collaborative effort among all stakeholders. 

Kgosi Radipitse further stated that information and education were key to dismantling the two scourges.

He thanked BPS for choosing Tonota as the venue for the launch themed: “Towards a safe and secure festive season.” Ends