13 Jul 2023

Batswana have reacted with mixed feelings the decision by the government to arm members of the Botswana Police Service (BPS).

Recently, the Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi announced that before the end of this year, every police officer would be allowed to carry a gun on duty.

The reasons are that criminals have become more vicious and disrespectful to the police service itself and that crime is increasing at an alarming rate, especially the use of firearms in cases of murder, robbery, passion killings, gender-based violence (GBV) and others.

One of the interviewees, Mr Moemedi Goabo of Gaborone explained that this was a good initiative, but warned against misuse.

Mr Keorapetse Modise of Francistown also welcomed the initiative and underscores the need to train such officers on the proper handling of firearms to curb abuse.

His argument was that some Batswana were licensed to have guns for livestock protection but they ended up being used for the wrong reasons such as committing crimes and murder.

For Mr Kutlo Marumo and Poloko Gaolekwe of Tatisiding, the initiative would cause huge instability and insecurity in the country.

Mr Marumo said it was going to be a problem to manage the usage of guns because they would end up in the wrong hands.

Businessman, Tshepang Mabaila said the status quo should remain because there were some members of the BPS who carried guns.

“I agree with the decision, but order can be restored with limited force,” he said.

Meanwhile, BPS deputy public relations officer, Superintendent Near Bagali has assured the nation that there would not be any crisis when police officers carry guns.

He explained that each police officer had been trained on how to handle a weapon.

Botswana is one country that has strict gun-control laws and BPS is ranked as the best police service in Africa by the World Internal Security and Police Index. ENDS