There are no targets � Makgophe
Pini Bothoko | Friday June 9, 2017 16:44
Responding to concerns raised by members of the PAC Makgophe dismissed allegations that he had issued instructions and set targets for traffic police officers.
This followed a question asked by the member of PAC and also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Selebi-Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse who had asked if it was true that he has instructed the police to reach a certain target from traffic fines and the amount of money that they collect on the road.
He said he had heard reports that the police officers get some sort of recognition or rewards to have collected the largest sum of money from traffic fines.
“Are these allegations true? What is your target, and do you have rewards? How much have you collected from traffic fines?” Keorapetse questioned.
In answer, Makgophe said, “I have not issued any instruction and we do not have any targets but we have to intensify the operations to reduce the number of deaths on the road that have been escalating over the years”. Keorapetse said the sad reality is that the police officers themselves are now under greater pressure because they have to reach the lofty targets set for them.
“Members of the public are concerned about the high traffic fines stating that they are charged a lot of money even for unnecessary offences in which they could have been given a warning, especially if it was a mechanical fault,” Keorapetse said.
He added that police officers now have new tactics and the habit of threatening to impound people’s cars when they do not pay on the spot.
Keorapetse said that due to that pressure police officers also have the habit of hiding when conducting speed traps. Meanwhile, PAC members raised a concern of police brutality in which they use senseless and unjustified force when it is unnecessary and pleaded with the commissioner to consider finding new ways of handling protests and petitions.
They disclosed that Batswana are assaulted when protesting or during petitions, citing as examples the recent strikes at the University of Botswana (UB), Baisago university and #unemployed youth movement. For his part, MP for Gaborone Bonnington South Ndaba Gaolathe said that there are reports that the police have the habit of using excessive force even when it is unnecessary pleading with the Commissioner to stop police brutality. Keorapetse shared Gaolathe’s sentiments blaming the police for their brutality on Batswana. He said people are no longer free to express themselves or to protest, as they fear to be assaulted by the police.
“You have sjamboks, what do you use them for, don’t you think you should develop new ways of dispersing people than assaulting them,” Keorapetse said.
Commenting Makgophe said they provide a tolerant service in which they engage people before using any kind of force. He said that they agree that every person is at liberty to protest, but they should not destroy or damage properties in the process as it is against the law.
“We usually use a bit of force when people refuse to disperse, fight the police or refuse to be arrested. It is true that when force is used people can get hurt, but in most cases people carry out their protest and petition under our escort and never get assaulted because they would have followed the law,” Makgophe said.