‘Crime networks threaten Botswana’s economic transformation’
Pini Bothoko | Monday November 9, 2026 09:36
This was revealed by the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa. He was speaking at the just ended multi-stakeholder consultative workshop on the development of Botswana's National Strategy to Prevent and Combat Transnational Organised Crime held at Grand Palm Hotel this week. Mohwasa said the fight against organised crime is critical to protecting livelihoods, attracting investment and safeguarding the country's economic future. The minister added that criminal networks were becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting technology, international trade routes and financial systems to move illicit goods, people and money across borders. He cited drug trafficking, human trafficking, wildlife crime, money laundering, cybercrime and cross-border livestock theft as some of the activities that required a coordinated national response.
'The fight against organised crime is also a fight to protect our economic future,' Mohwasa said, warning that Botswana could not afford to regard these threats as somebody else's problem. He explained that organised crime has far-reaching consequences for ordinary citizens, from farmers losing livestock to cross-border syndicates to families losing savings through financial fraud and young people being lured into the drug trade. Mohwasa said the country's economic transformation ambitions under National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) and the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) could be undermined if criminal networks were allowed to flourish. He noted that BETP, through its 186 projects and initiatives, sought to mobilise investment, strengthen productive capacity, expand economic opportunities and create employment.
'As we expand agriculture, we must protect farmers and livestock owners against organised theft and illicit trade,' he said. 'As we grow tourism, we must protect our wildlife and natural resources. As we promote manufacturing and regional trade, we must guard against illicit goods and unfair criminal competition.' The minister pointed to the 2025 crime statistics presented by Commissioner of Police Dinah Marathe in February 2026, which showed that overall recorded crime increased by six percent compared with 2024, although violent and serious crimes declined by six percent.
He also highlighted cross-border livestock theft as a major concern, revealing that between 2023 and 2026, a total of 3,441 livestock, predominantly small stock, had been reported stolen in Botswana and taken across the border into South Africa and only 480 had been recovered. Mohwasa said the figures represent more than lost livestock, as they reflect the destruction of family investments, household incomes and the economic security of farming communities. He called for stronger cooperation with neighbouring countries to dismantle the networks responsible for stealing, transporting and selling livestock across borders.
On financial crime, he cited the Bank of Botswana's October 2025 Financial Stability Report, which recorded 360 suspicious transaction reports valued at P139.1 million between April and August 2025. He was quick to clarify that suspicious transaction reports were not necessarily proof of criminal activity but alerts requiring investigation by relevant authorities. Mohwasa stressed the need to pursue entire criminal networks rather than concentrating only on individuals caught transporting illegal goods. 'We must not be satisfied with arresting the person found carrying illegal goods while leaving untouched the network that financed the operation, organised the movement and stands to benefit from the proceeds of crime,' he said. He further called for strengthened intelligence-sharing, investigative capabilities, border management and cooperation among law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and regulatory authorities.
The minister also warned that corruption, abuse of authority and improper influence could create opportunities for criminal networks to infiltrate and weaken public institutions. Meanwhile, SADC’s director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, Professor Ishmael Theletsane, commended Botswana for joining other member states in domesticating the SADC Integrated Strategy to Prevent and Combat Transnational Organised Crime in the region.
Theletsane said the move demonstrated Botswana's commitment to protecting its people and contributing towards a safer and more secure Southern Africa. He warned that the region was not merely a transit route for organised crime but also a destination and source market for illicit goods and services. According to Theletsane, criminal networks were exploiting porous borders, socio-economic vulnerabilities and institutional weaknesses to generate huge illicit profits. He identified financial crime, drug trafficking, the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, wildlife crime and human trafficking as some of the region's major organised crime markets. 'The criminals share information faster than governments do.
We must close that gap through collaboration,' he said. Theletsane urged countries to strengthen the capacity of investigators, prosecutors and judges, while establishing dedicated units targeting the masterminds behind organised criminal enterprises. He also emphasised the importance of witness protection programmes, asset forfeiture regimes and effective mutual legal assistance between countries. Both speakers stressed that combating organised crime required more than arrests and prosecutions, calling for prevention, institutional accountability and stronger regional partnerships.
Mohwasa urged stakeholders participating in the consultations to produce practical recommendations that would translate into action at community level, border posts, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies.