Botswana: Police District No. 4 in Lobatse organized a workshop on Wednesday to give the local youngsters the knowledge and survival skills. The police officers want to discourage the youngsters fron being involved in criminal activities.
Ramatlabama Police Station Commander, Superintendent Mary Baabina, delivered a brief address at the workshop. In his remarks, he spoke about the disturbing that the community has been witnessing in terms of criminal offenses.
The police officers have shared that youngters are involved in serious offences such as rape, defilement, murder, robbery, assault, theft, and unlawful wounding among others.
The Police officer has shared that most of these offenses were committed when the youngsters involved in the crimes were under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicant substances.
Superintendent Baabina urged attendees to adopt behavioural changes to reduce crime and emphasised the importance of self-awareness, personal development, and informed decision-making to avoid criminal paths.
Kgosi Dipuo Masenga of Woodhall Customary Court delivered the opening remarks at the workshop. She has asked the parents of the youngsters to take responsibility in raising their children.
The parents have the duty to make their children into well meaning and responsible citizens of the country. She has also asked the parents to constantly become examples for the youngsters to follow. The elders must show moral behaviour to set positive leads for their children.
Deputy Mayor of Lobatse, Legodile Mothibi has promised to support youth transformation efforts. He has also promised the participating youngsters that his office would work towards helping young people become better citizens.
Mayor of the Lobatse Town, Mothibi has also urged the other stakeholders to come together and create programmes that can help for out-of-school youth. The mayor also asked authorities to provide psycho-social support to parents facing significant challenges in raising their children.
The workshop organised by the Police Service falls in line with the organization’s efforts to engage youth proactively in crime prevention. Such initiatives are recognised as effective strategies to reduce delinquency and victimisation among young people.