Police Commissioner Tsimako To Retire?

By Lekopanye Mooketsi
Correspondent | Monday February 8, 2010 00:00

While the spokesman of Botswana Police, Dipheko Motube confirmed that Tsimako will be reaching retirement age, he could not say whether or not Tsimako would indeed leave the police service.

He referred all questions to Tsimako, who is reported to be out of the country.

Tsimako's predecessors retired when they reached 60 years, the retirement age for police officers.

Tsimako, is the fourth Motswana to hold that office. He took over from Edwin Batsu who has since joined politics and is currently the Member of Parliament for Nkange.

Tsimako, who has been in police service for close to 30 years, joined Botswana Police a few years after independence as a patrol man or constable and rose through the ranks. During his early years in police service, he worked in Kasane.

He has also served as the Divisional Commander North based in Francistown, before he was promoted to become the deputy commissioner of Police.

Since he took over as Commissioner, Tsimako has boosted the morale of police officers. During his term, the salary scales of police officers from constables to senior superintendent have been upgraded. He has also fast tracked the promotion of police officers.

During his term, a number of police officers have been promoted especially to the post of Assistant Commissioner.Tsimako is also known to be an approachable person.

It was during Tsimako's term that the Botswana Police merged with the Local Police. There have also been other developments including the establishment of the Botswana Police air wing and the acquisition of three helicopters.

Botswana Police has also initiated a stock theft unit.

However, one of the areas that Tsimako has been failing to address is that of alleged police brutality. As the Commissioner of Police, he has never been vocal against alleged police brutality or shown concern. One of the stations where police officers are said to be notorious for beating up suspects, is Maun. However, the Botswana Police leadership has never instituted investigations in Maun.

The police have also become involved in extra judicial killings.

One of the possible contenders to Tsimako's post is the deputy Commissioner, Kenny Kapinga. Kapinga is believed to be the most suited because he does not only boast of academic qualifications but experience. He is the longest serving deputy commissioner and holds a Masters degree in law.

He has also seconded to Harare as the head of Interpol. Kapinga who graduated with a law degree in the 80s, was the one who established the Botswana Police prosecution unit. He has also served as the director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).