Police commissioner, Ms Dinah Marathe made the remarks when receiving a P300 000 service extension facility, corporate social responsibility initiative by Zhengtai Group of Botswana Company in Maun on Wednesday. 

The company is contracted by the government to implement a mega water project. 

“We need to come together as and tackle the challenges head-on, especially, the brutality and violence associated with the commission of crimes such as murder, rape and robbery,” Ms Marathe said, appreciating that the facility would complement their office space and assured the communities of improved service and enhanced professionalism. 

The excessive use of drugs, especially by the youth, she said did not only present psycho-social challenges but equally contributed to violent crimes hence called for a multi-sectoral approach to effectively tackle such and emphasised the need to address the abuse of social media and related crimes committed through cyber space. 

Ms Marathe said the police service was concerned by the loss of lives on the roads that claimed the lives of pedestrians and encouraged all to be vigilant and respect each other. 

“Having said that, we have come to receive a structure built within Maun Police Station by one of the business communities and most of you will recall a familiar tent structure that used to be erected where the current structure stands. 

The former structure unfortunately was not conducive for delivering a friendly service, especially during adverse weather conditions and it is against this backdrop that I was grateful and quick to approve Zhengtai’s offer to build the improved structure to complement our office space,” she added. 

Ms Marathe further noted that the country was going through economic harships, mainly resulting from a decline in diamond sales. 

Like any other public service organisation, the Botswana Police Service she said, faced resource constraints extending into infrastructure development and facility maintenance noting that on the other hand, law enforcement challenges were increasing as facilitated by the current era of digital transformation and rapid technological advances. 

Ms Marathe said the police appreciate the resource support complement from stakeholders and partners including the adoption and renovation of their aging infrastructure under the Adopt-A-Police Station programme. 

She acknowledged that the initiative has received overwhelming support from the private sector and numerous works have already been accomplished under its ambit noting that more companies were welcome to associate with the good initiative. 

Zhengtai Group of Botswana Company director, Mr Stephen Liu said the donation was testament to their commitment towards supporting communities. 

He stated that Maun community welcomed them with open arms hence they found to fit to improve the police infrastructure because the police officers played a vital role of ensuring safety, security and justice of the community. 

“Our police officers here are dedicated to maintaining peace and order within the community and this facility reflects our company’s philosophy as through our corporate social responsibility, wherever we work, we leave a lasting legacy and we have assisted in many community activities in Maun,” he added. ENDS