02 Apr 2023

The use and trade in illegal drugs poses a security risk to Botswana hence the move by government to be a party to international and regional conventions and protocols aimed at promoting cooperation in the fight against such.

Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi explained in Parliament recently that such conventions and protocols were helpful to the country because they enabled sharing of information on intelligence, strengthened capabilities, harmonised investigations and smoothened repatriation of exhibits and suspects.

Mr Mmusi also said international organised crime and criminal markets had undoubtedly grown in the country as it had globally. 

“Some of the indicators of the existence of such markets and dealers are the arrest of drug dealer and abusers by the Botswana police. The rising trend in illicit production of drugs and their demand not only pose a security threat to the country, but it also threatens the health and socio-economic welfare on our citizens,” he said.

Mr Mmusi said as a response measure, government took a decision to enhance the local crime prevention institute framework by establishing a Drugs Enforcement Agency, which he said was charged with enforcing laws combating illegal traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

He said statistics showed that most prevalent illegal drugs in the country included cannabis and methcathione, commonly known as CAT. “For the past five years, the police recorded 7 004 and 385 cases respectively concerning these two drugs,” he added.

However, he said there were few cases concerning the use of other drugs such as cocaine and heroin and the cases of cultivation of drugs locally were also recorded.

Kanye North MP, Mr Thapelo Letsholo had asked the minister to give an update on illicit drugs supply and demand in the country over the last five years.

Mr Letsholo also asked the minister to indicate who was accountable of getting rid of illegal drugs in the country, as well as any specialised attention that was being implemented considering the adverse societal implications to family lives in the county. 

He was also concerned that illicit drugs were easily and freely accessible in the country, even in kiosks that were accessed by learners in front of school premises, to the chagrin of society.

“They are rightly concerned that such drugs destroy lives, especially emotionally and mentally and crimes associated with drugs continue to rise on a daily basis. So Batswana want to know government plans,” he said. 

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