Africa-Press – Botswana. Residents of Lerala-Maunatlala constituency have complained about the escalating crime rate in their area.
Residents of Lerala, Majwaneng, Maunatlala, Seolwane, Mosweu and Mokokwana complained during kgotla meetings addressed by the area MP recently.
They said some young men terrorised residents by beating them up at night as well as stealing from them.
In Lerala, Kgosi Selelo Moroka said juvenile delinquency was a serious concern and urged residents to work together to curb the behaviour.
Kgosi Moroka said the situation deteriorated in December and that police intervened as members of the Special Support Group were deployed in the village to instill discipline.
He said a room, which served as a police post, was recently burnt to ashes by the mischievous youth.
“People who commit these crimes are young boys who just finished Form 3 last year, “ he said.
In Maunatlala, the VDC chairperson, Mr John Dilae condemned the behaviour, saying the past festive season was the worst as the village lost two young lives through crime related deaths.
He said teachers houses were broken into and goods stolen.
He said the behaviour was detrimental to the village as people would not want to work in their village.
Kgosi Commet Baitlhapi of Mosweu also complained about mischievous boys in his village, saying the situation was getting worse.
He appealed for a police post, noting that they were currently being serviced from Maunatlala.
“We report incidents to Maunatlala police, unfortunately most of the time they have no transport to attend to us,” he said.
Many residents attributed the delinquent behaviour to the minimal application of corporal punishment by dikgosi.
Mr Batsile Kokome of Maunatlala suggested that dikgosi should be given powers to apply corporal punishment to the culprits.
The area MP, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele also strongly criticised the escalating delinquent incidents in the area.
He said the situation was getting out of hand. He also noted that a group of boys recently burnt a house in one of the yards.
He appealed to parents to instill discipline in their children, adding parents should warn children about the dangers of criminal activities and how it could jeopardise their future.
He said a decision had been taken to establish an advanced police post in Lerala with seven staff houses. This, he said, would help address rampant crime incidents in the area.
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