Boko decries enduring GBV
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday November 12, 2025 06:00
“In 2024 alone, the Botswana Police Service (BPS) recorded 14,020 GBV cases, with 4,468 of these crimes committed against children below 18 years,” he revealed. “These are not just statistics; they represent shattered lives, broken families, and a threat to our collective future.”
He, however, said that to address GBV, the government is reviewing the National Strategy towards ensuring multifaceted approaches towards targeting the detection and curbing of the GBV scourge. According to the President, some of the GBV strategies include addressing emerging issues and trends as well as adopting a human rights approach to the provision of services.
In addition, he said efforts are also underway to establish Gender Based Violence One-Stop-Service Centres to provide comprehensive services for survivors. On another issue, he said, Integration of Special Constables into mainstream policing is advancing, with 874 undergoing training and expected to graduate by December 2025, completing the absorption process by 2026–2027, strengthening the police service.
However, he said government remains committed to combating illicit drug use and trafficking. “The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) leads national drug control efforts, enhancing interdiction capabilities through new detection and testing equipment at border points,” he said.
Moreover, he said the DEA developed a National Drug Control Master Strategy to coordinate multi-sectoral efforts. “Due to the challenges of illicit drugs, I have instructed the DEA, in collaboration with stakeholders, to devise remedial strategies,” he pointed out.
To address growing money laundering-related risks, he said, the misuse of emerging financial technologies, Parliament passed the following critical laws: The Virtual Assets Act, 2025. He said the Act provides for the management, mitigation, and prevention of money laundering, and financing of terrorism and proliferation risks associated with emerging business practices; and the Companies (Amendment) Act 2025, and the Trust Property Control (Amendment) Act 2025, to align the legislation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on anti-money laundering recommendations.”
On the other hand, the president raised concerns and strongly condemned the recent violence against police officers, which undermines our social fabric. Law enforcement officers serve to protect all of us, and they must be respected.
“Overall crime decreased by 8.2 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, including violent and serious offences. Yet, high levels of violence persist in crimes such as rape, murder, and robbery,” he said. He said the BPS is strengthening community engagement and partnerships to address crime and reduce public fear.
In addition, he said the National Crime Prevention Conference in March 2025, themed 'Forging Collaborative Pathways Towards Safer Communities', was a key platform for collaboration. Furthermore, he said the new Police-Public Partnership Directorate is expected to enhance police-community cooperation further. Meanwhile, in advancing the peace and security agenda, the President said the country has presented its candidature to the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2030–2031.
“As it may be recalled, Botswana has only served once in the Security Council during the period 1995–1996. Additionally, as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council for the term 2024–2025, Botswana consistently champions matters relating to constitutionalism, democracy, good governance, respect for the rule of law, and human rights,” he said. He added that they showcased themselves to the international community as a model of democracy, political stability, peace, and security, and would like other countries to emulate some of the values, such as tolerance of divergent views and religions.
He said Botswana remains a strong advocate of free, fair, and credible elections and abhors unconstitutional changes of government.