21 Feb 2022

Incidents of cash-in-transit heists have decreased significantly since the involvement of government security agencies, says Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement workshop in Gaborone on Thursday, Mr Mmusi said the heists were prevalent  during August through to November leaving Batswana in fear. 

The workshop themed Aspiring for a Safer Botswana, resonated well with what every Motswana was looking forward to since the world did not afford people any opportunity or time to adjust to new threats, nor did it provide a blueprint on how to deal with them.

Mr Mmusi said the workshop would address issues that might adversely affect the country’s peace and tranquility, hence it was worth noting that there was no doubt that a cause and effect relationship existed between the reduction and collective efforts as a security sector.

He commended all those who played a role and showed commitment to a good cause and urged them to continue doing so, to safe guard the lives of Batswana and their properties.

The minister said he was aware that they had been engaged by the Private Security Services Licensing Board before in their bid to solicit workable and durable solutions to cash-in-transit heists and it was observed that throughout the previous engagements, they  understood the magnitude of the threat facing the country’s national coffers.

He said they have demonstrated immense commitment to solving the issues afflicting cash-in-transit business and demonstrated by proffering possible mitigation measures and strategies that could be used to ensure that criminals failed to undermine the private security companies in the CIT business.

“Together we will be able to demonstrate the full might of the law and we intend to send a clear message to criminals that we will beat them every day of the week at a game they have started.

 Crime does not pay and should never be allowed to pay, we subscribe to the long held biblical adage that all will toil and sweat to earn a living, and there are no short cuts.

We should raise the bar during our time, secure in our minds that it is good for the generations to come,” he said.

He said his ministry held the view that there was value in investing time and resources on consultations with key stakeholders because in their midst, they had commercial banks, who by being companies operating in the multinational platforms, had a wealth of knowledge and experience on how best to deal with heists in the cash-in-transit business and Botswana Police who would share the level and status of intrusive crime in Botswana.

Botswana has taken a deliberate position that the state shall have the monopoly of conventional arms of war and dominance of firepower when called upon to protect Batswana and their property.

Mr Mmusi said the police were part of the security detail responsible for among others, protection of national currency and worked closely with the private security industry who were into CIT business.

He said the ministry was ready to work with Bank of Botswana and commercial banks through the Bankers Association of Botswana, Business Botswana, Security Association of Botswana and other key stakeholders who could help bring down cash heists in the country.

“This is a position that has served the country very well and will not be altered on account of the recent spate of cash heists. You all know that Botswana is a signatory to international conventions such as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which is a solemn expression of her commitment and promise to the world that the country will not proliferate small arms and ammunition,” he said.

Mr Mmusi said it was worth noting that small arms and ammunition were the major cause of pain and suffering in sub Saharan Africa and it was against this background that no effort should be spared to control the proliferation of small arms and ammunition. He said government was committed to discouraging indiscriminate arming of the population. 

“We may be having good people in the private security industry with good intentions, but opening up ownership and operation of arms of war into private hands will go against the guarantees that the country has made to the world,” stated Mr Mmusi.

The minister appealed to private security companies to consider non-combative options to protect the national treasury without risking the advent of possible freak accidents.

This , he said  might turn out to be fatal and unrewarding, and urged private security companies  to explore the use of technology to come up with impenetrable money carrying gadgets,  such as 360 degrees camera surveillance mounted on CIT motor vehicles, remotely operated doors at loading and reception areas. ends