The conference brought together key stakeholders, including lawmakers, captains of the industry, senior government officials, traditional leaders (Dikgosi), and community cluster policing chairpersons from across the country. The President’s presence served as a morale booster for law enforcement officers and stakeholders, reinforcing the need for a united front in combating crime. The conference provided lawmakers with insights into the dynamics of crime, enabling them to make informed policy decisions in the future. It also allowed stakeholders to identify their roles in crime prevention, recognising that law enforcement officers often arrive at crime scenes after incidents have already occurred. The conference marks a significant step in Botswana’s fight against crime, setting the stage for a more integrated and proactive approach to ensuring national security and public safety. With gender-based violence (GBV) on the rise, particularly in private spaces, the conference underscored the role of communities in crime prevention.
The President acknowledged that effective crime prevention strategies must involve those closest to the victims, families, neighbours, and community leaders. In his keynote address, President Boko emphasised the importance of collaboration in crime prevention, highlighting the need for law enforcement agencies and communities to work together, stating that crime cannot be fought by the police alone. He expressed the need for the police to cooperate with Botswana Defence Force (BDF) like they did during the festive season and rolled out operation Pabalesego, stating that they were visible and dealt with most of violent crimes. “We face another developing type of crime, which is violence against the person often called GBV. This is a very complex species of crime because it originates in private spaces where the Constitution assures people of their privacy. Against this prohibition, crime resides there, lives are lost, people are injured physically and emotionally. How do we police these private spaces? It is a difficult question,” he said.
