His appointment as the commissioner takes effect from the beginning of next month. His promotion was announced on Wednesday following the re-deployment of senior civil servants. There has been strong speculation that the post was going to be handed to a military officer.
Speaking in an interview, Batshu said he regards his appointment as a challenge. But he felt it was still early to reveal his vision for the police service. He said he has always aspired to be a visionary leader who believes in team-work.
Batshu referred Mmegi to an oath he made when he was sworn in as a police officer in 1970. The oath reads: “I will truly serve the Republic of Botswana as a member of the Botswana Police Force and that I will truly and faithfully obey all the lawful commands given to me for the preservation of peace and the prevention of crime and the apprehension of offenders against crime.”
He said this was his guiding principle whenever he has always been over a new appointment in the police service. “I stand by this oath in every appointment. I always revisit this oath to re-affirm my commitment,” he said.
The 56 year-old Batshu who comes from Maitengwe joined the police service as a constable. Since he was enlisted in the police service, he has always been on the move.
He was posted to Francistown on his first appointment and promoted to a Sergeant in 1973. Two years later, he was transferred to Selibe Phikwe as a Sub-Inspector.
He was appointed as a Station Commander for Bobonong Police Station, holding the rank of an Inspector. He was sent for a course in the United Kingdom in 1979.
When he came back, he was posted to Maun as an Assistant Superintendent. His star continued to rise and in 1981 he was promoted to Superintendent. He moved to Mahalapye and ultimately became the station commander for the Central Police station in Gaborone. Next he became commander for Gaborone District and assumed the rank of Senior Superintendent.
In 1991, he was appointed as assistant commissioner and commander for the Southern Division. He also served as the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
He became deputy commissioner in charge of operations in 1997.
Batshu said his job has always been interesting. He said there was no particular reason why he joined the police service except that he was looking for a job. But he confessed that he enjoyed his job so much that he could feel it in his blood. As a Christian, he said, it always gives him satisfaction when he provides a service. “It makes my day,” he said. He added that one of the most memorable events in his career is the Selibe Phikwe mine strikes in the 1970s. He recalled that he was beaten up by some of the miners during the strikes. However, he had the last laugh as most of culprits were arrested and prosecuted.
He also mentioned the “MaDirelang riots” which took place in Gaborone in the 1980s.
The riots were sparked by the disappearance of a young girl. Batshu said policing a conflict situation has always been a great challenge to him. He said he was also in his element when prosecuting cases in court.
Reflecting over the long years, Batshu said there has been a tremendous transformation of the police service. He recounted that when he joined, conditions of service were very bad. “There was nothing to talk about regarding the conditions of service,” he said.
In those days police officers paraded in khakhi starch uniforms with shorts. Patrols were conducted on foot and bicycles. But the crime rate was low. “People were law abiding. The police could sleep at night by then,” he said.
But he noted that developments have brought changes to society. He added that the environment has changed and crime has become rampant.
Even the legal system has changed as there is more work for the judiciary. “We never used to have so many cases pending in courts,” he said.
He observed that technology has brought a lot of challenges for the police. “If we can’t be ahead of criminals in this area then that is where they are going to hit us hard,” he said.
Even though he is not a university graduate, Batshu has undergone a number of management courses locally and abroad.
Besides his official duties, he has also served as the vice president of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) in the early 1990s. He has also been involved in community projects and was one of the pioneers who established the Moses Mengwe private secondary school in Maitengwe.
He said he has always felt that he should contribute something to the development of his home village
Like most Batswana men, he is involved in pastoral farming with a “few cattle”. “I wish I could do a bit more in this area,” he said.
Batshu is married with four children. However, some police officers were not delighted about Batshu’s appointment. Some of the officers felt that he is not the right man for the job.
