Fight home invasions –Mmusi
Pini Bothoko | Monday February 27, 2023 06:00
The Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi instructed the police when officiating at the 49th Botswana Police Senior Officers Annual Conference at the Special Support Group (SSG) band hall.
Mmusi is highly concerned by the increase in home invasions robberies especially in Greater Gaborone as people are attacked at their gates, in their homes, assaulted and robbed. Criminals continue to attack people by the gates, break into people’s dwellings at night, attack the owners in their sleep and then take their valuables using force.
Usually, they target cash, mobile phones, laptops and other valuable electronic gadgets. Mmusi said Batswana are no longer safe in their country as they live in constant fear of criminals even in the comfort of their homes and cars, something that needs the police’s immediate attention. “I expect you all to stand up from here and ensure you fight home invasions with everything you can.
I urge you to take the weapons and fight. Do whatever it takes to eliminate this scourge as it has the potential of harming the country’s image as it compromises its trade and investment opportunities.
I therefore, expect a robust tactical response from the police. President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been traveling the world looking for investors and it’s your responsibility as the police to ensure that those people feel safe at all times,” Mmusi said. He stated that criminals were having a field day, breaking into a property every week, hence turning Greater Gaborone into a home invasion hot spot. He pleaded with the police to do whatever it takes to curb home invasions robberies.
An overview of police performance for the year 2022 against 2021 shows an increase in all categories of crime. Total crime increased by 20%, penal code offences by 17% and other statutes offences by 27%. Robberies and break-ins increased by 21%, with store breaking and theft and robberies accounting for the largest increase. As for prevalent offences, the category recorded an overall increase of 18.9% with significant increases realised in theft of motor vehicle and stock theft cases.
On cash-in-transit heists and Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) blasting, Mmusi commended the police for their coordinated response in addressing cash-in-transit heists and ATM blasting, which were rampant in the recent past and have now abated. However, he stated that strategies employed in this regard must be reviewed and improved continuously so that the problems do not recur. “I am glad you took the bull by its horns and I hope it’s dead and will not wake up. That bull must never resuscitate,” Mmusi said.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the immeasurable contribution made by the community policing initiative towards the prevention and detection of crime in this country. He stated that the initiative remains relevant and effective towards achieving an effective law enforcement service that the country desires to render to its valued customers. “I urge you to continue strengthening this strategic alliance in order to guarantee the safety and security of citizens and residents of this country.
Last year I emphasised on the importance of inter-agency collaboration in achieving our collective mandate. I wish to reiterate this position while at the same time appreciating the support and collaboration that is evident amongst the departments making up the security sector, in the pursuit of both operational and administrative functions, especially in the current era of scarce resources,” he said. Mmusi further pointed out the need to continue nurturing and strengthening the team approach further for effective service delivery to the nation. He stated that in recognition of the importance of public safety and security, government will continue to resource the Botswana Police Service (BPS) to pursue its mandate. He said significant resources have been made available for 1,000 Police Constable posts, introduction of drone technology, expansion of CCTV coverage and procurement of specialised vehicles for border patrols and poaching activities.
“This will significantly improve the capability of the BPS which will enhance our service to the nation,” Mmusi said. Sharing the same sentiments, the Acting Police Commissioner, Phemelo Ramakorwane revealed that the meeting recognises the challenges presented by crime, particularly drug abuse, stock theft, robberies, home invasions, Gender Based Violence (GBV) related crimes which include rape, defilement, threat to kill and the high number of missing persons recorded. “We have extended SSG support in addressing home invasions, which are prevalent around Gaborone and its environs extending to the southern part of the country.
In two weeks, the mighty Botswana police will invade Gaborone and take home invasions head-on as people no longer feel safe in their homes. These enforcement efforts and initiatives will continue to feature as priority deliverables in our current policing agenda,” Ramakorwane said. He said the increase in crime was expected upon returning to normalcy, following the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions therefore, they commit to continue strengthening their crime counter strategies and programmes with an aim of achieving crime reduction. Regarding stock-theft, Ramakorwane revealed to have taken a decision to strengthen and resource anti-stock theft teams across the country to facilitate effective tackling of this reoccurring challenge. “As for drugs, we have reinforced police operations and sensitisation/education campaigns targeting schools where the challenge is considered rampant,” Ramakorwane said.