12 Jan 2023

There was a general decrease in crime, road traffic accidents and fatalities countrywide during the just ended festive season as compared to the 2021/2022 period.

A press release from Botswana Police Services says a total of 440 accidents were recorded this year as opposed to 548 during the previous year, which translated to a 19.7 per cent decrease.

“The number of fatal road accidents decreased by 36.6 per cent from 30 in the previous period to 19 in the period under review and the resultant fatalities also decreased from 45 to 22 representing a 51.1 per cent decrease,” states the release.

The release says the number of serious injuries also declined from 59 in the previous period to 56 in the current period showing a 5.1 per cent decrease whilst minor injuries decreased from 90 to 46 showing a reduction of 49 per cent.

However, road traffic violations generated by the police recorded a total of 17 999 road traffic offences compared to 15 433 in the previous period demonstrating an increase of 16.6 per cent.

“With regards to other offences, a slight increase of house break-ins was realised in Gaborone especially those which occurred mostly at unmanned homes of people who were not part of their neighbourhood watch schemes in their locality,” notes the release.

The police are also concerned with rape cases that occur at entertainment places after recording a total number of 155 cases that have been reported thus far with majority of them being 70 cases recorded between Christmas and New Year.

During the period under review, the release notes that a total of 70 cases of robbery were recorded and 27 murder cases were registered of which the bulk of the cases occurred as a result of misunderstandings between victims and the perpetrators, which were mostly influenced by alcohol abuse.

“Worth noting this year, was the enhancement of the operation which involved multifaceted strategies to combat crime which contributed to the reduction in the number of offenses,” says the release.

Botswana Police Service has also observed a general decline in crime which preceded the festive season, from 1st November 2022 to 5th January 2023.

The release concludes by expressing gratitude to members of the public, especially motorists for their cooperation at various police roadblocks and other police operations, as well as thank all the stakeholders and partners for their cooperation in ensuring public safety. ends