Transnational organised crime vexes police

Staff Writer | Wednesday October 14, 2015 15:10

Deputy commissioner responsible for support services, Tapudzani Gabolekwe, recently pleaded with law enforcement officers to come up with strategies that would curb the trend.

Speaking during a one-day transnational organised crime conference in Otse recently, Gabolekwe said Botswana was particularly exposed to these types of offences.

“Criminals use Botswana as a linkage path in their criminal activities,” he said. Transnational crime is defined as violations of law that involve more than one country in their planning, execution, or impact.

Gabolekwe added that drugs, firearms and human trafficking incidents are evidence of the prevalence of transnational organised crime.

“These incidents continue to undermine the governance and democracy of Botswana,” he said. He further pleaded with law enforcement officials to work together and come up with effective strategies that would remedy the situation. Gabolekwe said law enforcement is mandated to implement the ‘Safe and Secure’ Vision 2016 pillar. “The pillar desires to eliminate violent and intrusive crime and transnational organised crime is part of it,” he said.

The one-day conference was meant to facilitate a joint response to combating transnational organised crime. Transnational crime is defined as violations of law that involve more than one country in their planning, execution, or impact.

The conference was also designed to inform law enforcement agents on the expectations of ratifying the United Nations Convention against transnational organised crime.