22 Mar 2021

Issues of public safety and protection have become matters of debate both in the official and public domain, says Minister of Justice, Defence and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi.

“Therefore amongst other departments, the government continues to resource the police to adequately discharge their mandate of ensuring public safety and security,” he said. 

Speaking during the official opening of the P91 800 859.40 Semolale Police Station on Saturday, Minister Mmusi said resourcing of police was in recognition of their important role of securing a safe and secure environment.

The project, undertaken by  GSP, includes 24 staff houses, sport grounds, gymnasium and ancillary buildings. 

The minister challenged Semolale police to use the new facility to heighten performance by strengthening crime fighting strategies in collaboration with members of the community.

Minister Mmusi emphasised the relevance and importance of community policing saying, “we should invest more in this rewarding initiative.”

He said the Semolale policing area was susceptible to cross border crimes such as livestock smuggling due to its proximity to Zimbabwe and South Africa borders.

He noted that cross border rustling adversely affected economies of those who depended on livestock rearing.

“This is an important subject that forms part of the standing agenda for the Botswana/Zimbabwe binational commission which is chaired by our two heads of states,” said Mr Mmusi acknowledging the existence of constant collaboration between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies.

Speaking at the same event, Police Commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe said the new police station was “part of government’s resolve to develop law enforcement capacity along our border villages to address cross border crime.”

He said generally,  except for livestock smuggling, crime in the area was manageable.

Mr Makgophe however stated that defilement, housebreaking and assaults were threatening to spiral out of control.

For his part, Semolale’s Kgosi Isaiah Madema called for erection of towers at strategic  locations  to help patrolling teams to assess situations at the border. 

He also requested a grader to clear access roads to make it easy for the teams to carry out their duties.  

Kgosi Madema further called for an increase in law enforcement numbers in the area. 

The officers should be fully equipped and resourced to discharge their functions, he said.

 Yet another speaker, Bobonong MP Mr Taolo Lucas, requested that the number of base camps along the border be increased.

He applauded law enforcement officers, together with community members, for intercepting some animals in the process of being smuggled across the border.

The area MP called for use of force against the perpetrators of livestock smuggling where permissible. 

He asked for the opening of Mabolwe Border Post to  facilitate engagement with Zimbabweans on livestock theft. ENDS