18 Sep 2013

Crime statistics for the first and second quarter of this year indicate a general decrease in the number of serious offenses by 12 per cent compared to the same period last year.

A release from Botswana Police Service indicated that a slight increase was recorded in respect of stock theft and rape by eight and seven per cent respectively. Statistics showed that the most affected areas were Gaborone and its periphery, Francistown, Serowe and Molepolole.

The release said stock theft cases increased mainly because farmers did not look after their livestock. Rape victims were mainly women aged between 18 and 40 years and suspects were mostly their male acquaintances.

Figures indicated that there were 900 cases of robbery cases recorded between January to June this year compared to 1 252 cases recorded the same period last year. Still on the same period, 1 635 cases of house breaking and theft were registered this year compared to 2 091 cases last year. Store breaking and theft cases also fell from 1 446 to 1 308 by June this year while burglary and theft fell from 2 212 to 1 663 cases.

The release further indicated that cases of theft of motor vehicle declined from 146 to 131 while stock theft rose from 1 049 to 1 130 cases by June this year. The same increase was noticed with regard to cases of rape and attempted rape as they rose from 937 to 999. Cases of threat to kill on the other hand decreased from 411 to 360 this year. Murder cases also registered a slight decrease from 126 cases last year to 118 the same period this year.

According to the release, intensified police operations led to the arrest of a number of suspects believed to have been involved in some of the offenses. The police also intensified public education and encouraged members of the community to form clusters and neighbourhood watch committees. Police would continue to increase targeted patrols, especially in areas that were mostly affected by crime.

The police also received and investigated 11 reports of alleged incidents of abduction and missing persons in the Kgatleng District from April to August this year. The police thoroughly investigated all the incidents and majority of them were proven to be false or unfounded.

According to the release, some alleged victims were students who wanted to cover-up their dubious activities and people who had problems in their intimate relationships. However, the police have arrested and charged some of the so-called victims of abduction and robbery incident with giving false information to a person employed in the public service. Investigations are continuing in some of the incidents.

The Botswana Police Service said it would like to assure the public that generally the crime situation in the country is manageable. Ends