23 Mar 2020

Members of Parliament have expressed concern over the bad state of police stations.

Debating the 2020/21 budget proposals for the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, MPs said the stations needed maintenance.

MP Sam Brooks of Kgalagadi South said the Bokspits Police Station was constructed during colonial years and was in dire need of maintenance.

He further said the border fence between Botswana and South Africa also had to be maintained.

MP Brooks urged the minister to purchase Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) units to accommodate police officers.

He also said the former local police who were integrated into Botswana Police Service were not promoted.

Tonota MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said he supported the death penalty.

He urged the minister to increase salaries of the civilian personnel employed by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) as it was done for other members of the disciplined forces.

MP Moatlhodi said he did not have a problem with BDF acquiring fighter jets as it had to be ready to thwart any threat facing the country.

Gaborone Bonnington South MP, Mr Christian Greef said Gaborone West Police Station had a wide policing area and requested caravans to be used in Gaborone Phase 4.

He further said asbestos housing units should be demolished as they posed a health risk to the occupants.

Good Hope-Mabule MP, Mr Eric Molale said the BDF would always be an expensive entity, adding that contrary to what other MPs had said, they should always be kept ready and that pilots had to be kept flying to acquire hours.

He said the police had evolved into a disciplined entity hence the public was at ease to report.

MP Molale said they were waiting for a police station in Phitshane-Molopo and that they already had a plot.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said Kutlwano Police Station in Francistown had a big area but worked with limited resources.

He called for police promotions, saying some had spent many years in the lowest rank of Constable.

The Francistown South MP thanked the minister for purchasing houses previously owned by Tati Nickel Company for the disciplinary forces.

Thamaga-Kumakwane MP, Mr  Palelo Motaosane also decried the poor status of Thamaga Police Station, saying even CID members did not have space to work. He urged the minister to at least get them caravans.

He further said there should be a police station in Mmankgodi to relief Thamaga Police Station.

MP Motaosane said special constables should be enrolled into the police service without going through interviews as they were already experienced.

Molepolole North MP, Mr Oabile Regoeng said Molepolole Police Station was overcrowded and that they had been promised a new one.

He further said the justice system was failing the police as criminals were always granted bail to continue with their activities.

Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr  Mephato Reatile said the best time to prepare for war was during peace due to logistics behind procurement of military equipment.

Responding to the comments, defence, justice and security minister, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said he would look into setting up satellite police stations in areas such as Khakhea.

He further noted that they have 3 000 special constables and that only 200 police officers were employed annually, making it impossible to recruit all of them.

Mr Mmusi said if they had funds they would maintain all police stations in the country. ENDs