12 Aug 2022

Botswana Police Service (BPS) continues to receive child-friendly facilities around the country with Shakawe Police Station as the latest recipient.

  The facility, in the form of porta cabins, was officially opened by First Lady Neo Masisi following the Eseng Mo Ngwaneng campaign relaunch in the village on Wednesday.

 Ms Masisi said the facility, a Japanese government donation, would go a long way in assisting in the fight against gender based violence (GBV), particularly child abuse. 

The First Lady encouraged parents to report cases to ensure protection of children.  

BPS acting commissioner Phemelo Ramokorwane told the gathering that the first facility that was piloted in Gaborone proved effective since an increasing number of children were now coming forward to report abuse.

He said Japan had donated other facilities in Ghanzi and Boteti areas while Maun, Palapye, Lobatse and Jwaneng were also earmarked to receive the same.

Mr Ramokorwane said for Shakawe, the facility was timely given the high number of alcohol and drug abuse cases involving children currently being handled by the police.

He stressed the need for stakeholder collaboration to address the situation.

MP for Okavango, Mr Kenny Kapinga expressed appreciation for  the facility noting that it was the first in the North West region.

Emphasising the importance of engaging children or young people in a friendly manner and environment, he said the demographic continued to come in contact with police for different reasons which included committing crime, witnessing it or becoming its victims.

 Mr Kapinga urged BPS to engage officers with children or young people friendly qualities in order to achieve its mandate.

He suggested that the Directorate on Public Prosecution follow suit by engaging child-friendly prosecutors.

Mr Kapinga encouraged the Okavango community to revive family structures that upheld protection of children adding ‘schools should also be safe for children’.

For his part, Ambassador Hoshiyama Takashi said the child-friendly facility was proposed by UNICEF to strengthen Botswana government’s efforts in the fight against GBV.

“We will also augment our support by pledging to do posters against violence to be put around schools and police stations,” he said. ends