09 Feb 2014

Residents of Ikhutseng ward in Francistown are complaining that despite prohibition of alcohol sale from dwelling places, their ward still has depots selling both alcohol and marijuana, thereby increasing crime incidences.

The residents raised the concern during a recent kgotla meeting addressed by mayor, Mr James Kgalajwe. Ms Josephine Ramaditse alleged that the use of dagga had spiralled out of control in Minestone location to the extend that law enforcement officers were also involved in the criminal activities.

This, she noted, made it difficult for the perpetrators to be brought to book as police officers effected no arrests. She stated that during the day able-bodied men spent hours drinking alcohol at a house which had also been transformed into a 24-hour shebeen.

Ms Ramaditse said the fact that some police officers were clients at the shebeen made it difficult to take necessary steps to enforce the law and said the situation was spreading to school children who also abused dagga and alcohol in the neighbourhood.

Sharing similar sentiments, Ms Selebatso Moganiwa decried the government’s decision to end the police volunteers programme which she said helped in the fight against crime.

She also highlighted that the men who spent hours abusing alcohol and drugs in the area were the ones who turned around to attack them and pollute the area since there were no public toilets.

The owner of the illegal depot, she mentioned, did not allow his clients to use his private toilet and as such they just relieved themselves in the open.

Responding to the concerns, an official from the district commissioner’s office, Mr Boyce Mangole informed residents that he would take up their concerns with the station commander of Francistown Police Station concerning the involvement of law enforcement officers in promoting criminal activities.

However, he asked them to always take up issues which were not addressed to higher authorities if they were not satisfied with actions taken after they had reported.

Mr Mangole also called on parents to take control of their school going children to prevent them from engaging in criminal activities and urged them to always know the whereabouts of their children.

Responding to the allegations in an interview, the station commander of Francistown Police Station, Superintendent Mojaboswa Mathitha promised that action would be taken against police officers who could be found to be engaging in any criminal activity.

He said every police officer was aware that dagga was an illegal substance. He added that they would arrange a raid in the location with the aid of sniffer dogs in search of the substance. He said if this could be true, action will be taken against the owners of illegal depots.

Meanwhile, Mr Kgalajwe informed the residents that they were in consultation with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to have a unified secondary school.

Mr Kgalajwe noted that the construction of the school would be a relief to the children from Gerald Estate who travel long distance to schools in the Francistown south constituency, which is about seven kilometres to and from school on daily basis. He highlighted that the project has been approved.

The mayor also promised residents that he was going to meet with Botswana Housing Corporation regional manager to get the latest update on their plans to remove the old Minestone houses, which have turned out to be a hub for criminal activities. ENDS