Botswana: The Director of Operations, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Katlholo Mosimanegape, called for a strengthened partnership between the Police and the Community in the fight against crime.
Mosimanegape made this call yesterday (14/09/2023) when addressing Cluster Policing members from No.1 and 15 Districts in Francistown.
He said community involvement in the fight against crime is an essential tool to curb escalating crime incidents, hence pleading with them to have their ears on the ground in order to create a safe community in their neighbourhoods.
When sharing crime statistics with the attendants, Mr Mosimanegape stated that home invasion incidents in Francistown and surrounding areas increased from 1375 in 2021 to 1805 in the year 2022, translating into a 31% increase.
He further noted that Murder, Rape, Defilement, Threat to Kill, Stock Theft and Theft of Motor Vehicle incidents are a concern in the area. The Director appealed to the attendants to review and enhance their existing crime prevention programmes to respond to crime in their areas.
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Mosimanegape noted that crime can significantly hamper economic growth and also instil fear in the Community, which he said calls for proactive and collaborative initiatives that will ensure safety and secure communities.
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Director of Transport and Communication Branch North, Assistant Commissioner Patrick Monareng, raised concern about the influx of illegal immigrants in their policing area. He urged members of the Community to desist from employing and harbouring illegal immigrants.
For his part, the Officer Commanding No.1 District, Senior Superintendent Paul Molapisi, said they will use the knowledge they gathered from the workshop to improve service delivery. He thanked Cluster Members for attending, indicating that frequent interactions will help them effectively deal with new crime trends in their areas.
