06 Apr 2022

Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security has outlined its priority initiatives for this year which include expanding the safer city programme to other areas.

Minister Kagiso Mmusi told the ministry's strategy retreat in Gaborone on April 5 that under consideration was the use of drones for crime management as well as development of applications for crime reporting to offer quick responses.

He said the ministry would set up a unit to enhance research and policy formulation with a focus on establishing small arms industry for munitions manufacturing or ammunition recycling factories.

Minister Mmusi said that was achievable through partnering with entities such as Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation and Botswana International University of Science and Technology.

“I strongly believe that our meeting is intended to afford us an opportunity to bring together our aspirations for the coming year and to put together an all-encompassing annual plan commitment that will contribute towards the achievement of sectoral and national indicators as espoused in our thematic working group of governance, peace and security, NDP 11 and the Vision 2036,” he said.

He acknowledged the role played by the recently established child-friendly police stations and gender-based violence courts saying their existence had ensured expeditious conclusion of matters related to emerging issues such as defilement.

 Regarding the integrated prisoner rehabilitation programme, Mr Mmusi said the intention was to utilise existing facilities to upgrade the skills of prisoners.

“The envisaged establishment of the leather park in Lobatse is one of the facilities that can transform Lobatse Prison into a centre of excellence and skills development as part of the value chain in the leather industry,” he said. Minister Mmusi stressed the importance of professionalising private security services which he said would help instill a sense of confidence and competence.

In her welcome remarks, permanent secretary, Ms Botlhale Makgekgenene encouraged officers to always provide excellent service and to adhere to the ministry’s customer compliance standards. BOPA