23 Jun 2025

 The construction of North West Division, and police station including 75 staff houses has been submitted for consideration in National Development Plan (NDP 12), Commissioner of Police Ms Dinah Marathe has revealed. 

Funds permitting, she said construction of Shakawe Police District and 50 houses as well as construction of Special Support Group (SSG) in Maun Region and 75 houses would also be considered in NDP 12.  Ms Marathe made the remarks recently during the handing over of a service extension facility built and donated by Zhengtai Group of Botswana Company in Maun. She said the construction of Dobe and Eretsha police posts with seven staff housing was ongoing and it was anticipated that the projects would be completed by January 2026. 

“This development will go a long in ensuring that crime is significantly reduced and that services are brought closer to the people where they are needed,” she said.  

Ms Marathe also highlighted that they would always strive to serve according to the communities’ expectations as dictated by needs citing that as the Botswana Police Service, their strength depended on building strategic and effective law enforcement partnerships with the public through the Community Policing Programme. 

Due to the sustained effectiveness of community policing in preventing and detecting crime, she said they had over the years extended the platform to include both the public and private sector space with overwhelming results as demonstrated by the overall reduction in crime. 

Generally, she observed that crime and criminality in Botswana was manageable citing that in comparison, between the year 2023 and 2024, total crime decreased by eight per cent from 159 680 in 2023 to 146 529 in 2024.  Ms Marathe said the North West Division which covered several areas amongst them Ghanzi, Shakawe, Maun and Kasane experienced a crime reduction of 8.8 per cent from 15 455 to 14 085 offences.

“Out of that, No. 5 District, that is, Maun and surrounding areas noted a reduction from 9 313 in 2023 to 7750 offences in 2024, a reduction of 8.3 per cent,” she said. 

Ms Marathe  said in general, the North West Division had consistently recorded crime reduction over the last 5 years which was highly commendable. 

“Whilst this indicates a downward trend, we realise the need for continuous improvements to refine our efforts to not just reduce recorded crime but to ensure the safety of our people,” she said.  

The police commissioner also attested to the significant contribution made by Community Policing towards their success crime story over the years saying they valued the community’s support and shall continue to invest limitlessly in Community Policing for strengthened public safety and security for a peaceful Botswana. 

The community’s continued support and sacrifices, she said were the driving force behind their quest for continuous service improvement and transformation. Ms Marathe also highlighted that the issue of allowance for cluster policing members was ongoing citing that they had taken it up with relevant authorities.

Kgosi Leretetse Mogalakwe appreciated the good work done by police officers in addressing crime and ensuring peace and stability. He described their role as a calling saying many were motivated by a desire to help others and make a positive impact in the society. He also acknowledged that officers demonstrated professionalism in line of their duty. ENDS