01 Feb 2023

Botswana Police Service continues to experience shortage of manpower at all police establishments.

Assistant Minister of Local Government, Ms Talita Monnakgotla said Nokaneng police post was equally affected by the shortage of personnel.

Resources permitting, Ms Monnakgotla said, consideration would be made to strengthen police personnel in all deserving villages.

She said Nokaneng police post was currently supported from Gumare Police Station.

Ms Monnakgotla also said police posts existed under main police stations and therefore were not independent establishments.

Specially elected member of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Kebonyetsala Fish  had asked the Minister of Defence and Security to explain why the Nokaneng police post was operating with only two officers while the staff compliment should be six.

Meanwhile, Ms Monnakgotla also said the planned major maintenance for Sehithwa Police Station offices was not done as planned due to budgetary constraints.

“I am aware that Sehithwa police offices are in a bad state of affair,” she said.

However, Ms Monnakgotla said minor maintenance works were carried out during the financial year 2020/2021 to keep the facilities in a habitable state.

Responding on behalf of the Minister of Defence and Security, Ms Monnakgotla said the status of the station commander’s house has been brought to the minister’s  attention.

“It was not covered during minor maintenance of the other facilities in 2020/2021 because it required a substantial amount of money which we were unable to secure. Funds permitting, it will be refurbished to bring it to a habitable status,” said Ms Monnakgotla.

Ms Monnakgotla further said funds permitting, Botswana Police Service would consider maintenance of the facilities during the 2023/2024 financial year.

Kgosi Fish had asked if the minister was aware of the dilapidated and inhabitable state of Sehithwa police offices and staff houses. He also said the station commander’s house at the police station had remained unoccupied for more than six years because of its dilapidated state.

Kgosi Fish wanted an update on the planned maintenance of the said facilities. ENDS