'I Am Part of the Solution' unveiled amidst escalating GBV
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday February 25, 2026 06:06
The resolution was adopted at the recently concluded Senior Officers’ Annual Conference, which was held at Otse Police College, where police commanders spent three days reviewing strategies to respond to emerging crime trends and evolving public safety challenges.
Speaking at the conference, Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe said that although Botswana remains one of the more peaceful nations globally, the nature of crime is becoming increasingly complex and concerning. She noted that whilst statistics reflect a decline in violent and serious crimes, the brutality associated with such offences continues to escalate.
Marathe warned that Gender-Based Violence and drug abuse are key drivers behind the growing intensity of violent crimes. She explained that the level of violence not only threatens lives but also instils fear within communities, ultimately eroding public trust in law enforcement.
“The level of violence we are witnessing is deeply worrying. It creates fear and has the potential to undermine the sense of safety and trust we are working to build within society,” she said.
To address these challenges, BPS plans to implement inclusive, community-based interventions under the new programme. Central to this effort is the development of a GBV early intervention and risk-monitoring tool aimed at identifying and preventing potential cases before they escalate.
Marathe emphasised that the fight against crime cannot be left to the police alone, urging collective national responsibility in addressing violence, particularly murders arising from domestic disputes and minor conflicts.
“We must ask ourselves as a nation what more we can do to stop these killings. People are losing their lives over issues that could be resolved peacefully, including conflicts amongst partners and disputes over trivial matters,” she said.
She further highlighted a disturbing link between drug abuse and violent crime, revealing that investigations have shown that many perpetrators commit brutal acts whilst under the influence of drugs.
According to Marathe, substance abuse emboldens individuals, particularly the youth, to engage in extreme violence.
“Re tshwanetse go bolotsa ntwa go lwantsha ditagi, there is a need for us to intensify efforts to eliminate drug use in Botswana, as it fuels crime. Under the influence, many develop the courage to commit acts they would otherwise avoid, including murder,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Marathe noted that BPS continues to strengthen its policing strategies through a combination of community policing and technology-driven solutions. These include initiatives such as smart policing systems, drone technology, and safer city programmes aimed at enhancing surveillance and rapid response.
She reaffirmed the police service’s commitment to safeguarding communities, stressing that efforts to combat crime, GBV, and drug abuse will remain a top priority.