Almost two months into the year 2025, Botswana Police Service (BPS) says it has already recorded 29 murders and 133 rape cases from January 1 to February 9, 2025, across the country.
The figures were revealed by the Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa when addressing the media today in collaboration with the BPS commissioner, Dinah Marathe. Mohwasa’s address was focused on updating the nation about the state of public safety, crime situation, and measures in place to combat crime and criminality in Botswana. “In the current crime situation from January 1 till February 9, we have recorded a total of 29 murder cases from 26 cases in the same period last year,” he stated. The figures indicate that the number of murders increased only by three. The minister further revealed that though the number of rape cases is high, it went down by 12% compared to last year in the same period. “With rape cases still from January 1 to February 9, we have recorded 133 rape cases compared to 151 rape cases recorded last year,” Mohwasa said.
Though rape cases recorded showed a decrease, the same thing could not be sung regarding the defilement cases recorded. “Defilement cases recorded still in the same period went on from 101 to 105 cases which shows an increase by four,” he said. Meanwhile, armed robbery cases are standing at 37, house breaking 78, motor vehicle theft 11, illicit drugs 55, amongst other cases recorded. Though the number of the crimes recorded are high, the minister said that they have made arrests in some cases. “Whilst some of these cases are still under investigations, more than 364 were arrested since January 1 to date with some already having appeared before courts of law,” Mohwasa said. Mohwasa stressed that the number of crimes recorded are a cause for concern which requires the nation to work together in addressing these challenges.
Though rape cases recorded showed a decrease, the same thing could not be sung regarding the defilement cases recorded. “Defilement cases recorded still in the same period went on from 101 to 105 cases which shows an increase by four,” he said. Meanwhile, armed robbery cases are standing at 37, house breaking 78, motor vehicle theft 11, illicit drugs 55, amongst other cases recorded. Though the number of the crimes recorded are high, the minister said that they have made arrests in some cases. “Whilst some of these cases are still under investigations, more than 364 were arrested since January 1 to date with some already having appeared before courts of law,” Mohwasa said. Mohwasa stressed that the number of crimes recorded are a cause for concern which requires the nation to work together in addressing these challenges.
