24 Feb 2014

Ten deaths, 19 injuries and 29 cases where there have been shootings by the police have been recorded from 2012 to date.

Answering a question in Parliament on Friday, February 21, Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse said any loss of life was regrettable.

He said most of these cases were under investigation while some had been closed where it had been found that the police were acting in self-defense. He said the police were expected to be professional and where they did not become professional, they could be tried before the court of law.

Minister Seretse further commended the Botswana Police Service for a job well done in making this country safe and secure, adding that this country had been recognised as a number one country in the world which was safe to invest and reside in.

He said given the resource constraints facing the police service; they have worked tirelessly to make this country a safe and secure country.

Mr Seretse was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central, Mr Dumelang Saleshando who wanted him to state the number of cases involving police shootings and number of casualties recorded. Ends