Africa-Press – Botswana. Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi has underscored the need for communities to collaborate with the police to uproot criminal activities in their areas.
Speaking at the official opening of the Khakhea Police Post Thursday, Minister Mmusi called on residents to play their role to ensure that crime rate subsided.
He noted that even though his ministry, through the Botswana Police Service, was committed to securing people and their properties, communities were also responsible for playing their part.
He implored them to unite and fight stock theft, which was rampant in their area.
“We are aware that people in this area are livestock farmers and we know that the main concern is stock theft. We can augment each other’s efforts when the government brings in resources while you take care of your livestock,” he said.
Furthermore, the minister urged them to report criminal activities to the police and desist from protecting perpetrators.
He said concealing such useful information hindered police investigations, hence crime continued to escalate.
He noted that reporting criminals could also assist in rehabilitating them to avoid committing such offences in the future. Mr Mmusi said the government continued to bring police services closer to the people through both infrastructure and personnel.
However, he noted that shortage of accommodation for officers challenged residents to utilise the opportunity to provide houses for leasing to government.
Commissioner of police, Ms Dinah Marathe said the construction of the Khakhea Police post would not only help expedite cases but would go a long way in restoring public confidence on the police service.
Ms Marathe noted that the police posts that the BPS continued to build in various areas across the country were intended to enable people to report criminal cases instantly and within their proximity.
“Such infrastructures are some of the developments needed to bring our services closer to the people,” she said.
She noted that even though the initial contractor was terminated owing to incompetency, the second contractor delivered the project within the P871 800 budget.
She said the project entailed a community service centre, consultation room, records management office, post commander and second in charge offices, custody suite and communication devices, among others.
Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile applauded BPS for their commitment and efforts towards fighting crime, particularly combating stock theft through the KgomoKhumo operation.
Mr Reatile noted that since the inception of the operation, there had been a significant reduction of such cases in the area.
He urged the police to continue their collaboration with members of the public towards eradicating criminal activities in general.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
