14 Apr 2021

For the past three years, 221 Gender Based Violence (GBV) related incidents involving learners, which might be associated with drugs and other substance abuse, were recorded.

This was said by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi in Parliament on Tuesday in response to a question from Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile.

Mr Mmusi said of the 221 recorded cases, 70 were rape offences, 149 defilement and two assaults which occurred between 2018 and 2020.

He said it was apparent that in the past three years, incidents of defilement had increased compared to other offences under this category. Some of the possible contributing factors to the problem, he added were that most learners stayed alone with very minimal supervision and that alcohol was easily accessible to them.

“We have also observed that intensified public awareness programmes by stakeholders has created empowered and courageous students willing to report, leading to an increase in reported cases,” he said.

In an effort to address the problem, he said, the Botswana Police Service continuously conducted school visitations to address pupils on the dangers of using drugs and related substances.

Minister Mmusi pointed out that anti-crime clubs had also been formed in a number of schools, noting that was a societal challenge that requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders.

“In that regard, collaborative efforts by the various stakeholders including, government, NGOS (such as Bosasnet, Young Love) and others has led to production of targeted programmes and interventions such as ‘silent shout’ to sensitise learners on the dangers of drug and substance use,” he said.

He told Parliament that mini-pitsos were also conducted in collaboration with all stakeholders to sensitise pupils on gender based violence issues.

MP Reatile wanted the minister to state the number of GBV incidents among learners which were recorded during the past three years as a result of drugs and other substance abuse.

He also wanted the minister to state the type of cases that were most prevalent and whether the cases were increasing or decreasing and if increasing, the cause of the problem as well as the possible solution. ENDS