Unpacking crime in Molepolole
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday February 7, 2023 06:00
The carnage in the village had led to members of the public labelling the village as the country’s crime capital. Across social media platforms, the public views Molepolole as a dangerous place with a hive of criminal activities.
It isn't known for peace thus keeping the police on their toes. The highly populated village has resulted in criminals moving in as well as claiming their spots. On Friday, The Monitor team visited the area to have a chat with Molepolole Police Station commander, Superintendent Benedict Matlho concerning the escalating crime incidents in his policing area.
He admitted that policing the area is not easy because it is so wide-stretched. Matlho said his policing area covers as far as Kotolaname, Moshaweng, Botlhapatlou, and Medie in Kweneng District and that exhausts police resources and manpower. He further admitted that his policing area has over the years seen a dramatic rise in criminal activities.
Asked which offences are commonly committed in Molepolole, Matlho said: “All offences in the Penal Code happen here. The most horrendous crimes such as murders, armed robberies, rape, and home invasions etc are committed here including road traffic accidents. It is a busy area and police officers here are always on their toes fighting crime,” he said. Matlho revealed that burglary, housebreaking, and theft, top the list of crimes with the police officers responding to almost daily reports of break-ins and theft.
He stated that villagers’ goods are stolen daily, whether during the day or night and not even the comfort of their homes can keep them safe as the perpetrators continue to find a way of breaking into houses even in the presence of the homeowners. “Of late villagers do not know what peaceful sleep means as in their slumber their mind is always on the alert to any sound from outside the house.
The said criminals usually target television sets, mobile phones, laptops, and other valuable goods, which afterwards they sell cheaply. These criminals cause havoc despite our effort to curb the scourge,” he said. Furthermore, Matlho said stock thieves also wreak havoc as farmers in the area are dispirited by the upsurge in stock theft. The police continue to arrest suspects in possession of stolen cattle and carcasses.
He stated that the rampant stock theft in the area is difficult to contain and remains one of the greatest threats to the long-term sustainability of livestock production and farming in the area. “Stock thieves hang around grazing areas to rustle unbranded cattle, which are their chief target. In responding to this scourge, we have been encouraging farmers to form farmers’ committees to fight the scourge. Our kraal at Mogonono village is populated with cattle that have been seized as exhibits,” he said.
Matlho raised concern over drug use stating that more villagers are involved in selling drugs such as dagga, cocaine and cat, which is also common amongst school-going children. Moreover, Matlho revealed that the upsurge in lawful wounding cases that usually lead to murder remains a concern as people no longer value the sanctity of human life choosing to kill whenever it suits them. He said such cases are worsened by alcohol intake as they usually occur at entertainment spots when people are intoxicated.
He disclosed that petty issues that always lead to deaths include arguments during beer drinking, fights over money, and arguments between partners in relationships. “Most of the victims and perpetrators of stabbings are the youth, especially men. We do not know why most young men prefer to carry knives, especially at night and at entertainment places.
These are the weapons that give them the confidence to fight whenever they are involved in a misunderstanding,” he said. Matlho urged people to leave knives out of disputes, as efforts to tackle such crimes remain a challenge. He said with the help of dikgosi they have been conducting awareness campaigns urging people to respect the sanctity of life and avoid settling disputes through violent means. “We share a lot of information on alcohol abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), but it seems people turn a deaf ear.
It appears we still have a lot on our hands,” explained Matlho. He noted their cluster groups led by Dikgosi in all villages in the area would not despair, as they will continue going around their jurisdiction to impart cautionary messages on social ills.