Botswana Police Service Forensic Laboratory is now among the exclusive internationally recognised laboratories in the scope of traffic management systems. The laboratory was conferred with Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) accreditation award yesterday.

Speaking during the handing over of the accreditation certificate in Gaborone, SADCAS Chief Executive Officer, Ms Christine Gadzikwa said Botswana Police was the second lab accredited by SADCAS in the forensic lab space in the SADC region and the first in Botswana, after the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority in Tanzania.

She said the accreditation landscape in the country was growing rapidly, stating that as of June 31, this year, there were thirty-six accredited facilities in the country. Such, she said was a testimony that government embraced the benefits of accreditation, and further noted that there was room for growth in increasing the numbers.

Further, Ms Gadzikwa said accreditation brought about scientific integrity, legal trust, continued improvement, global collaboration and error reduction. She said forensic science played a critical role in criminal justice systems, providing evidentiary backbone that courts and investigators rely on.

“It assures all stakeholders from law enforcement to judges, from victims to the public, that the methods used in our laboratories are competent, impartial and consistent with international best practice,” she said.

Deputy Commissioner-Support Services, Mr Solomon Mantswe said Botswana Police stood resolute in delivering its public mandate as provided for by the law, adding that as part of the criminal justice system in the country, police played an investigative role. He said delivery of quality and timely justice was dependent largely on effectiveness of the investigation function.

Hence, he said police was committed to improving time and quality and effectiveness of case investigation, with a view to ensuring that offenders were apprehended within a reasonable time. As such, Mr Mantswe said forensic science services enhanced their investigative capability, contributing to timely detection of crime and disposal of cases.

“In this regard, our forensic laboratory deploys modern state of the art equipment and technologies that meet international standards, which contribute to the presentation of accurate and reliable forensic evidence before the courts,” he said.

Further, Mr Matswe said Botswana Police Services was committed to uphold the requirements of the award to strengthen the effectiveness of forensic science and law enforcement function as well as the enhancement of the delivery of the criminal justice system in general.

“It is a significant step in our efforts to enhance the investigation of road traffic offences,” he said, adding that complying with set standards ensures that tests were conducted with the highest degree of accuracy, reliability and credibility.

Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Mr Katlholo Mosimanegape said the award demonstrated Botswana Police Service commitment to quality service and diversity, which was core delivery of its mandate of ensuring public safety and security, adding that the accreditation process started in April 2016 and completed in February 2025. ENDS