Crime in 100 days: Legal loopholes persist :: Mmegi Online

In the new government’s first 100 days, the long-simmering menace of Gender Based Violence (GBV) boiled over and exposed well-known legal loopholes. As such, Batswana are demanding more from the new administration beyond talk, writes Mmegi Staffer PINI BOTHOKO

GBV has become a daily concern for a country believed to be a peace-loving nation with a strong cultural value of Botho. Over the past festive season, police recorded 298 reported offences against persons, with 181 of them being GBV-linked crimes. That is 60.7% of total reported crimes being gender-based.

About 93 women were raped between December 19, 2024 and January 5, 2025 according to official data shared by the Botswana Police Service (BPS), meaning that for a population of about 2.3 million people, close to 100 women were raped in a short period of two weeks. And that only includes reported cases.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

crime
UDC

Crime in 100 days: Legal loopholes persist

In the new government’s first 100 days, the long-simmering menace of Gender Based Violence (GBV) boiled over and exposed well-known legal loopholes. As such, Batswana are demanding more from the new administration beyond talk, writes Mmegi Staffer PINI BOTHOKO

Explore

More

Pursuit for Kgosi Sekai’s scalp continues

Court affirms adopted children's inheritance rights in landmark ruling

A child, DNA test, estate fight: court draws the line

Boteti children pay price of malnutrition

Speeding car crashes into sleeping motorist in Kopong

Serowe's rape, defilement cases decline amidst strong policing

Drunk driver smashes into Mmopane yard, injures teen girl

Chinese nationals assaulted, robbed in Molepolole

Justice delayed is trust denied