Block 6 shopping complex, a crime hotspot

Mmegi Editor | Monday September 7, 2026 06:00

“Try a crime you end a criminal,

treat an environment you end crime.”

– Abhijit Naskar, Sleepless for Society

What should be a vibrant entertainment hub has instead become an area where people increasingly fear for their safety.

Hardly a weekend passes without reports of people losing their valuables, vehicles being broken into or stolen, revellers being assaulted and injured, and, in the most tragic cases, people being attacked with sharp objects.

For many patrons, a night out at Block 6 has become a gamble. There is no guarantee that they will return home safely.

The latest incident, which occurred early Sunday morning, is a painful reminder of just how serious the situation has become. A 20-year-old University of Botswana third-year male student allegedly lost his life after being stabbed with a sharp object.

According to information surrounding the incident, the deceased and his friends had reportedly left one of the entertainment outlets in search of alcohol at a neighbouring shebeen. Before the fatal attack, they allegedly approached two men at a bar and asked whether they knew where they could obtain alcohol. The two men reportedly led them towards a nearby shebeen.

While walking ahead with the two men they allegedly attacked him, stole his mobile phone, cash, stabbed him on his chest with a sharp object and fled. His friends, who were walking behind, reportedly reached him moments later and found him collapsed and lifeless.

One life has been lost, but the incident should not be viewed in isolation. It is part of a growing pattern of criminality that is making Block 6 increasingly unsafe.

Every weekend, large numbers of people converge on the area to drink and socialise yet many leave without their phones and other valuables. Vehicles parked around the complex have reportedly been targeted by thieves, while some patrons have been assaulted around parking areas or attacked while making their way home. This cannot continue to be treated as an inevitable consequence of nightlife. People have a right to enjoy themselves without constantly looking over their shoulders.

The police therefore, need to rethink their approach to security at Block 6. Occasional patrols may not be enough for an area that attracts thousands of revellers and has developed a reputation for criminal activity.

There is a need for a visible and sustained police presence, particularly during peak hours on weekends. This could include permanent or dedicated patrols, rapid-response teams and, where appropriate, support from specialised policing units or city enforcement teams.

Businesses benefiting from the huge weekend crowds must play their part by strengthening security, monitoring parking areas and working together to identify and report suspicious activity not to wait for another young life to be lost before decisive action is taken.