Cost of escorting cash-in-transit vehicles unknown

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday March 23, 2026 06:00

This was revealed by the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa recently in Parliament, saying 'we still have to calculate how much has been spent on this operation'.

'We hope we will appreciate that there is no dedicated unit for this operation as it forms part of our normal daily duties,' he said.

'Therefore, we have no readily available figures for this police escort operation.'

Mohwasa stated that the decision to escort cash-in-transit vehicles was taken in 2019 following a series of armed robberies involving vehicles transporting cash.

He explained to legislators that this measure was introduced as a proactive intervention to enhance security during the transportation of cash.

It is said that while escorting of cash-in-transit vehicles has contributed massively to securing of monies belonging to businesses, this has had a negative effect on other security organs.

Equally, it is said that the police have been stretched and had to sacrifice some of their services to cater for safe transportation of the money.

While this operation has come at a high cost for the government, Mohwasa told Parliament that currently, there is no formal agreement between the government and private security companies regarding these escorts.

'As such, there is no cost sharing with the relevant banks,' he said. 'However, my ministry is actively engaging relevant stakeholders with a view to mitigating the financial implications of this operation and identifying a sustainable long-term solution that will relieve Government from this responsibility.'

Mohwasa said since the implementation of this measure, they have observed a decline in armed robberies related to cash in transit.

Despite the high cost of this operation, he said it was of grave importance to protect the money so as to create a safe and secure environment for all.

Asked further if this has not impacted on the police rendering other services, Mohwasa acknowledged that the initiative initially strained police resources but said the situation has since stabilised as robbery incidents have declined.

He attributed the earlier pressure in part to the country’s low police-to-population ratio, noting that Botswana has fewer officers compared to countries such as Namibia.

He added that the planned construction of 28 police stations is expected to ease the shortage, as it will be accompanied by the recruitment of additional officers.

The minister was responding to a question asked by Member of Parliament for Serowe South, Leepetswe Lesedi.

The MP had asked Mohwasa to give an update on the nationwide police escorts of security companies’ cash-in-transit vehicles; and further, if the escorts are free or if there is cost sharing with the relevant banks.

The legislator had also asked the minister to state when the escorts started, their efficacy and how much it costs government per month for the Police escort services.

Additionally, Lesedi had wanted to know whether it is not time to facilitate private security companies to enable them to handle such operations through capacitation and arming.