21 Feb 2024

The appointment of the police commissioner is the prerogative of the President in terms of section 112 of the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana, says Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi.

He said the President was the one making the appointment after taking all critical factors that he needs, adding that the factors were not subject to discussion in the public. He said the past immediate commissioner of police was on suspension pending trial from March 2022 to October 2023, and that the position of commissioner could only be acted for during that period or until the case was resolved.

He said there has not been any negative impact on service delivery during the time when an acting commissioner had been on charge.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had asked the minister to state the underlying reasons for not appointing a substantive commissioner of police and whether he did not appreciate the negative effects of having an acting commissioner for an excessive period of time. ENDS