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16 Mar 2023

The pattern of, and growing number of violent crime in Botswana is indicative of the creeping illicit drug problem that threatens to smother the entire country, says Francistown City Mayor Mr Godisang Radisigo.

He was speaking at a dialogue session on drug use hosted by the First Lady Ms Neo Masisi this week. 

He said the family structure bore the brunt of illicit drug use and this threatened the stability of communities and the nation, which were built upon it.

“This has also contributed to the non-functioning of the family structure as evidenced by increase in the number of socially disorganised families that that deal in drugs,” he said. 

Mr Radisigo observed that the proliferation of drugs, especially in schools could defeat government’s efforts to create a knowledge-based economy as well as achievements in terms of human capital and skills development as espoused in the Transitional National Development Plan.

Therefore, he said, it was important for everyone to do their best to stop drug trafficking and abuse from growing into a bigger problem than the country was currently dealing with. 

He said the Francistown City Council would intensify public education around the issue. “Already there’s been a lot of community engagement through different forums to discuss, share and guide one another on drug use,” he said.

Speaking at the same event Ipopeng Ward councillor Ms Jenamiso Mojaki said one of the gaps identified in attempts at solving the challenge of drug trafficking in the country was family or parents who failed to report drug dealers.

She therefore called on community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate through workshops and meetings to fight drug trafficking and abuse. Ends