Mmegi

Concerns mount over cost of police vehicle outsourcing

The partnership, signed on Wednesday, will see the Botswana Police Service receive a total of 28 vehicles.PIC.BPS
The partnership, signed on Wednesday, will see the Botswana Police Service receive a total of 28 vehicles.PIC.BPS

Public reaction has been swift and divided following the Botswana Police Service (BPS)’s decision to partner with Avis Rent a Car in a 12-month pilot project to outsource vehicles for operational use. Many citizens are expressing concern over the potential financial implications of the arrangement.

Across social media platforms, a significant number of commentators questioned the cost-effectiveness of leasing vehicles, arguing that the move could place an unnecessary burden on public funds at a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges.

Central to their concerns is the lack of clarity on how much the government will pay the car rental company on a monthly and annual basis. Some members of the public estimated that the deal could cost an average of P3.5 million over the 12 months, excluding fuel, maintenance, and possible accident-related expenses. This, they argue, raises serious questions about whether the same funds could instead be used to procure a permanent fleet of vehicles for the police service.

Editor's Comment
BPF should get house in order

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has this week rightly washed his hands of the mess, refusing to wade into a party squabble that has no clear leadership and no single version of the truth.When a single party sends six different letters to the Speaker’s office, each claiming to be the authoritative voice, it is not just confusion, but an embarrassment.Keorapetse is correct to insist on institutional boundaries. Parliament...

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