Open Letter To The Police Service

 I hope things are going properly in your department which is tasked with protecting the nation while poorly under funded. Infact the newly established Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS) gets more than you (P200 million development budget for 2009/2010).
They have even taken over the duties of the Criminal Investigations Department in crime investigation. When the  DIS was formed, we were made to believe it is going to take care of the external security threats to the country while you guys will focus on crime in the country. Even some Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs gave examples like the Hyundai relocation or economic sabotage from external forces.  But that seems not to be happening as now the DIS is busy undertaking police duties and in the process shooting each other. That's why they deported the Zimbabwean who maintained in court that he is not the one who shot the DIS agent.

 I must say really DIS has brought misery in the policing industry. Anyway let me leave them and talk to you my beloved police officers who have served this country and its borders diligently since independence before the BDF arrived.

But I am ashamed by the way you handled the John Kalafatis execution case, contradictory statements. At first when the incident happened, your Public Relations Officer in one local radio station said you are investigating the case and you are not the ones who shot the guy and you didn't know why he was killed.

Anyway, fast forward to current situations, now you are reported to have tried to release the car which is the major exhibit when the case is opened by Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after you finish your investigations.

 I know you are probably saying investigations are still on-going and you don't want to discuss the case in the media to update the nation but it's amazing and probably suspicious that now you tried to dispose the main exhibit. It's amazing because as far as I know, many police stations are packed with accident-damaged vehicles, allegedly stolen ones and many other goods because you are keeping them as exhibits if those cases go to court but now you are acting differently.

This case is at the heart of the nation and has attracted so much interest that even primary kids are talking about it. I know you are frustrated by the exposure it gets because at least the family has money to engage very good and vocal attorneys who have gained access to what you normally hide from us under the pretext that investigations are ongoing. They have even brought a private pathologist so this time there is no escape.

You better finish the investigations quickly unlike what you did with the other 10 or more cases which happened from April 1, 2008 until now like the one in Maun where you shot an unarmed citizen while standing in front of his house.

You also owe us the report of Segametsi Mogomotsi which was also a big case. I wonder why you are not telling us the truth because you are not the ones who shot the guy and really even though you said he was on your wanted list you never gave it the publicity you normally do when you are looking for a dangerous armed criminal who is on the run like you want us to believe the guy was.

I have never seen his picture (John Kalafatis) in Btv's Itshireletse (police programme) unlike the guy who killed police officer in Selebi-Phikwe area and many others who are shown when you appeal to the public to help. You see you have trapped yourself in a bad precedence because you never publicised any report of investigations you normally say are being done.

Let me not say much about this case because you have a lot of questions to answer. Anyway, thanks for the good job of protecting us and our property but give us the John Kalafatis report.

I would like to end by appealing to you for help in bringing to order people who are continuously violating our Constitution. People disregard section 35(3) (4) and (5) of the Constitution of Botswana. Or you guys only deal with matters relating to the Penal Code?

Xoise Gopadile. 
Gaborone