This is the year that armed robberies, murder and petty crime incidents spiralled out of control and kept the police busy. Zooming into three topical crime issues this year, I selected armed robbery, murder and petty crime incidents as these offences that did not only keep the police on their toes. The crimes also stole people’s peace and security as they lived in constant fear of criminals who continue to rule the streets and torment them even in the comfort of their homes. These crimes continued to grow in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and they remain a major concern. Much more needs to be done in ending this scourge as crime continues unabated. The once calm Botswana has since turned into a crime haven and the target for criminals who continue to stage heists at some point overpowering security companies’ guards, robbing businesses and making off with large amounts of cash. Armed robberies have become common in Botswana due to widespread availability of guns allegedly smuggled from South Africa. The use of guns that occured occasionally has this year become too common with civilians who are not trained to use guns continuing to operate them as they please, thereby threatening the country’s economy. With unprecedented numbers of armed robbery incidents particularly cash-in-transit heists, this year brought about incessant ringing of the siren. This year, with weekly occurrence, armed robbers have been causing havoc especially in Greater Gaborone staging Hollywood movie stunts and pulling daylight heists while attacking security personnel and the police. The country also continues to experience a series of love-related murders dubbed passion killings and petty crime incidents like pick pocketing and smash and grab. The Botswana Police Service (BPS) statistics show that armed robbery, murder, theft from homes at night and even during the day have increased.
Furthermore,the country is faced with this big social problem as dozens of women continue to lose their lives at the hands of their lovers and robbers causing havoc as criminals continue to invade their homes as they please. The upsurge in murder cases worries the police as they have been conducting awareness campaigns urging people to respect the sanctity of life and avoid settling disputes through violent means. But their pleas appear to be falling on deaf ears. Hence they have concluded there is a devaluing of the sanctity of human life perpetrated by men. People no longer value the sanctity of human life as they choose to kill whenever it suits them. Murder cases are a societal problem, as it looks like the society is angry and the police and concerned stakeholders have not yet established the reason behind the cause of the situation. Despite the country having capital punishment, dozens of women continue to lose their lives at the hands of their lovers. Murder cases involving intimate partners, especially boyfriends, girlfriends and ex-lovers, worry the police. Moreover, police have cited infidelity and insecurities among people as the major causes of disputes between lovers which usually end up in deaths.
