Africa-Press – Botswana. Plans are underway to licence private security company personnel to carry firearms and help in enforcing national security, says the Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi.
This was announced during the minister’s meet and greet session with ministry boards on Wednesday in Gaborone.
The minister said 32 000 applications for firearm licences were received in 2023 from citizens, and this has raised concerns of national security. He said it appeared as if people were of the view that they could start protecting themselves.
Mr Mmusi said his ministry stood firm against such a practice, adding that government wanted a peaceful country, where people do not carry guns.
He said this was the reason why he declined increased allowance of gun possession among citizens, saying that training private security companies to handle firearms proved to be worthwhile.
The minister said the arrangement allowed for proper monitoring and accountability, adding that should the masses be allowed to carry guns the situation may be uncontrollable.
He said passing the trust into the private sector would allow for responsibility and adequate training of security companies.
Mr Mmusi said this would ultimately create more employment for Batswana.
He pledged his support towards making sure that the private security licensing board achieved this obligation of facilitating for firearms licences.
Mr Mmusi said it was upon the board to ensure that there were systems and processes to achieve this, citing that the Act allowed for the armourment of private companies.
He said the ministry’s interest was to keep Botswana safe and secure.
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