03 Jul 2022

Botswana-and Zambia should work together to exterminate transnational organised crime, fefence and security, Minister, Mr Kagiso Mmusi to the two countries’ Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) on defence and security recently.

Mr Mmusi told the commission was faced with among others human trafficking, money laundering, migrant, drug and contraband smuggling, terrorism and financing of terrorism as well as poaching, all of which caused significant injury to the countries’ economies hence the need to stop them. 

The minister, who was officiating at the 23rd JPC on June 29, held under the theme: Crossing the Bridge to Enhance Partnership, said the defence and security institutions of the two countries should ensure they continued to collaborate, share information and serve as excellent guardrails against transnational organised crime. 

The minister called for utilisation of technology and other means in conformity with the shared respect for the principles of justice and international law, peace and security.

He said President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Transformational Reset Agenda, which emphasised the need to ensure that digitisation of the country is expedited would be a key component that supported Botswana's position. 

He called on the members of the JPC to continue exploring opportunities for exchange programmes that built knowledge and heightened the expertise of officials within the criminal justice systems and other sectors. Mr Mmusi said working hard to finalise the excellent work commissioned in agreements would ensure the two nations enjoyed peace, justice and security.

He said the Botswana-Zambia JPC on Defence and Security was an exemplary model of bilateral cooperation.

Zambia’s Minister of Defence, Mr Ambrose Lufuma said the 23rd JPC was another milestone of cooperation between Botswana and Zambia.

 He appreciated governments of Botswana and Zambia for supporting the commission.

Mr Lufuma said he was confident that the officials who met prior to the ministerial session of the JPC had formulated more effective strategies of dealing with the challenges facing the two countries. ENDS