Police ready to shoot � Makgophe
Bonte Seepi | Friday November 3, 2017 12:08
Speaking at the launch of the Botswana Police 60 Days of Action on Crime and Road Safety held on Wednesday, Makgophe said that the police would never allow their lives to be put in danger by criminals.
He added that they would even respond to those who use toy guns to stage their crimes because one would never know if the gun is real or not.
“Of recent there has been an increase in cases of armed robbery in which stores were mostly the targets. But I can assure you that Botswana Police (Service) has come to a decision that whoever attacks with the intention to rob, we will respond in the most appropriate manner because we cannot endanger peoples’ lives,” Makgophe said.
He said they are aware that there are those who normally threaten businesses with toy guns with the intent to rob.
“But we would not be asking if it’s a toy gun or not because there won’t be time for that. There are no officers who will run away from armed criminals, so it is up to those individuals to see to it that they refrain from putting their lives in danger,” Makgophe warned.
He said that crime statistics confirm that the festive season is one such period during which unprecedented incidents of crime and road accidents increase.
He said it is an opportune time for criminals to prey on unsuspecting citizens and the business community, targeting their accumulated proceeds and valuable properties.
However, he warned business owners to employ security personnel, especially for the festive season, saying that this is the period when individuals are defrauded of their hard-earned cash and belongings, as well as business properties that would be left unattended.
“Residential and business properties that are left unattended are targeted by those criminals and electronic devices such as expensive television sets, music systems would be stolen.”
Meanwhile, Makgophe warned crooks in metshelo that they would be waiting for them as they have learnt about them from incidents over the previous years.
He also urged Batswana to avoid carrying loose cash saying there is no need for that as there are ATM machines all around.
Makgophe assured Batswana that the police are more than determined to intensify the war against all forms of crime. He added that they would counter crime strategies and operations, increase police visibility, improve response time, continuously benchmark and research best methods and practices in law enforcement for possible adoption.
Makgophe also complained about the exponential growth in substance abuse for both school-going and out-of-school youth, noting that they are involved in the consumption of drugs such as marijuana, madyna, crack cocaine, methcathinone, which are mostly imported from outside the country.
He, however, said they have arrested 189 people in October alone in connection with substance abuse.
He said, “What is painful is that we arrest women at home who sell those drugs to children. Most of them don’t use those drugs, but they expect children to use them. That is clear witchcraft.”
Makgophe said that since they started the operation, they are receiving more tip off calls. He urged Batswana to continue reporting those who sell such drugs saying their intention is to reach each and every corner of Botswana including even the ‘so-called’ suburbs of Phakalane where it is alleged ‘big guys’ are involved in the selling of drugs.