Bravo BDF for the first step addressing GBV

The Monitor Editor | Wednesday February 25, 2026 06:00

The statement, whilst some may say, comes a little bit too late, is timely as gender-based violence (GBV) continues to haunt the country. A week hardly passes without reports of a wife, a girlfriend or boyfriend being killed by their intimate partners. Just recently, a high-ranking officer stationed at Glen Valley Barracks reportedly murdered his wife and has so far managed to evade arrest. It is also alleged that another soldier murdered his wife at Matobo on Friday. The numbers at which lives are being lost is very alarming, and sadly, the country has lost many young people to murder by intimate partners! At a time when public anxiety is rising over incidents involving members of disciplined forces, reassurance from the institution entrusted with defending the nation is not optional; it is essential. The BDF should be applauded for its efforts to condemn such acts, but more needs to be done. The military is correct in asserting that violent acts contradict its core values of Botho, loyalty, integrity and discipline. These principles should not just be ceremonial slogans, but the core affirmation taken by each and every BDF member as they swear to uphold the law and protect the country.

When members of such an institution are implicated in murder, suicide or GBV, the damage extends beyond the individuals involved and their families, but it erodes confidence in the entire organisation, which ideally should be one of the most disciplined and professional arms of the republic. The BDF rightly points out that its members are part of the wider society and not immune to the social ills affecting the country as the country continues to grapple with GBV and mental health challenges. Soldiers are drawn from this same society and face similar personal pressures. Whilst the numbers may be low when comparing the countrywide statistics, the debate over numbers must not overshadow the reality behind them.

Public concern is therefore not simply about arithmetic; members of the armed forces operate under a stricter code. They are trained in the use of firearms and entrusted with national security. That reality demands higher standards of conduct and more proactive safeguards. We, therefore, urge the army to be exemplary and act decisively. The proposed reforms and BDF’s emphasis on counselling services, social welfare support and spiritual guidance are commendable.

Yet support systems are only effective when members feel safe to use them. In hierarchical institutions, stigma around mental health often discourages personnel from seeking help for fear of appearing weak or jeopardising career progression. Addressing that culture openly and decisively will be critical. There is also a broader national conversation to be had about masculinity, power and violence. Disciplined forces often reflect, and sometimes amplify, societal attitudes toward conflict resolution and authority. Training that prioritises emotional intelligence, tolerance and responsible conduct is imperative. We hope the BDF will be able to achieve this as we build a better Botswana.