'Negligent' Police Officer Faces The Music

By Tumelo Setshogo
Correspondent | Monday May 26, 2008 00:00

 

The officer allegedly failed to respond to a report of murder in Maun on April 3 this year.

Botswana Police Service (BPS) public relations officer (PRO) Christopher Mbulawa told Monitor that their investigations showed that a member of the public called, reporting a case of murder and 'it looks like one of the officers on duty at that time of reporting failed to act accordingly to the report'.

He said Police Commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako ordered an investigation. Mbulawa would not specify the type of punishment the implicated officer might receive, but said they will be guided by the Police Act to take a decision.

'It can be suspension, fine and even dismissal depending on the nature of the offence,' noted Mbulawa. 

He said once the disciplinary proceedings have been completed, its recommendations would then be forwarded to the commissioner for action.

Meanwhile, Mbulawa assured the public that they will not condone any unprofessional behaviour by their members and 'will deal with it accordingly'. He said as the BPS, they also encourage the public to report any acts that tarnish the good name of their organisation.

This is not the first incident to happen in the BPS where officers are accused of not responding to calls from the public. Some two years ago, police officers were accused of not acting on a planned murder involving the late Zebras' star Oliver Pikati.

Pikati murdered his girlfriend and later committed suicide his own life.