17 Nov 2025

 The second phase of Operation Pabalesego, a joint security initiative led by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), aimed at strengthening public safety and combating rising crime in communities was launched on Friday.

The operation, rolled out in Mogoditshane, follows the inaugural phase held last year in Gaborone West. It brings together multiple law enforcement agencies in coordinated patrols, intelligence operations and community engagement activities to enhance national security.

Launching the operation, President Advocate Duma Boko commended members of the security services for their continued dedication under increasingly demanding conditions.

“Your commitment is central to maintaining safety and order across Botswana,” he said. He urged Batswana to support law enforcement efforts and take responsibility for the safety of their families and neighbourhoods.

President Boko also condemned the growing cases of gender-based violence (GBV), describing the scourge as a serious threat to families and community cohesion.

“I appeal to the public to promote respect, empathy and non-violence in all relationships, particularly romantic ones,” he said.

Police Commissioner, Ms Dinah Marathe said Operation Pabalesego II sought to reduce serious and violent crime by increasing police visibility, intensifying intelligence-led patrols and improving collaboration between security agencies. She explained that the operation focused on hotspots known for robberies, break-ins, domestic violence reports, drug abuse and traffic violations.

Commissioner Marathe noted that the first phase of the operation yielded positive results, with a 17 per cent reduction in armed robberies and a 12 per cent decline in burglary cases in Gaborone West over a three-month period. She said the police were confident that similar or better outcomes could be achieved in Mogoditshane and the surrounding areas, particularly as the festive season approached.

She said Operation Pabalesego II also aimed to dismantle criminal networks and strengthen community-police partnerships, by engaging residents, neighbourhood watch groups and local leadership.

 “Our goal is not only to arrest offenders but to restore public confidence and create safer spaces where people can live, work and move freely,” she said.

Commissioner Marathe further highlighted GBV, drug trafficking and youth delinquency as areas of concern.

 She revealed that BPS recorded over 6 500 GBV-related cases nationwide between January and September this year, with emotional abuse, assault and defilement ranking among the most reported.

 “These numbers are alarming and we are intensifying our efforts to ensure protection for victims while holding perpetrators accountable,” she said.

Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mhwasa thanked President Boko for prioritising public safety, noting that the operation reinforced government’s commitment to preserving peace and order.

Also addressing the event, Youth of Hope Safe Haven founding chairperson, Mr Boyson Mokone cautioned young people against drug abuse, warning that substance dependency continued to tear families apart.

He urged men to take responsibility for nurturing the boy child saying neglect often drove young boys into destructive behaviour.

“Men should know they either destroy or build the boy child,” he said, adding that recovery from drug addiction was possible with support and commitment.

Operation Pabalesego II is expected to run throughout the festive season, a period historically associated with spikes in crime and social disorder. 

The operation will combine high-visibility patrols, stop-and-search exercises and intelligence-led interventions to ensure safer communities countrywide. BOPA