09.08.13
Botswana Police service (BPS)celebrates 129 th years of existence on Saturday 10 th August 2013 at the Lobatse Sports Complex. Gates open at 0700hrs and admission is free.
His Excellency the President Seretse Khana Ian khamawill inspect the ceremonial parade by police officers to kick-start the celebrations. Other invited guests are the Lobatse Mayor, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, heads of diplomatic missions, former Presidents, Speaker of the National Assembly and some senior civil servants. Participants will be welcomed with varied entertainment embracing drill display, children’s parade, traditional dance, poem and display by clever dogs.
Botswana Police is celebrated annually to showcase the BPS current services, celebrate success and educate the public on crime prevention. It also meant to interact with stakeholders, society in general, and the international community in a more relaxed manner to discuss issues pertaining to public safety and protection.
It is for the first time that the celebrations are held in Lobatse. Last year they were held at the Molepolole Sport Complex and in the previous years, they were celebrated at the National Stadium in Gaborone.
The Botswana Police Service is one of the oldest among government departments. It was formed in 1884 named Bechuanaland Mounted police when formal policing started with 100 men who were mainly Europeans. A year later in 1885 the name changed to Bechuanaland Border Police when a new force was assembled with 500 men. In 1902 the name changed again to Bechuanaland Protectorate Police when the Bechuanaland section of the British South Africa Police (BSAP) was merged with the Basotho Native Police, something that reduced the number of white non commissioned officers to pave way for localization. In 1966 when Botswana attained independence, the police changed its name to Botswana Police Force and localization was later fast-tracked with the introduction of women police officers in 1971. The name further changed to Botswana Police Service after a number of police reforms that improved policing services and working conditions around 1997.
25.06.13
NOTICE
(i) Reward of P60000-00
Botswana Police Service is offering a reward of P60 000-00 to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) involved in the following murder cases;
1. TshiiloMojiwa,an 85 year-old woman of Marobela village who was found dead on 17 May 2013 at Belina lands.
2. BageleMojiwa,a 50 year-oldwoman ofBelina lands, Marobela village who died on 28 May 2013 at Nyangagwe Referral hospital.
Any information leading to the whereabouts or arrest of suspect(s) should be communicated to the CID Headquarters at telephone number3914945, toll-free 0800600125,TatitownPoliceat 2442023/2412231or 999.
(ii) Reward of P25000-00
A reward of P25 000-00is being offered to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) involved in the murder of British male Robin Tilneyaged 71 years of Extension 4 in Gaborone who was found dead athis house on 7th January 2012.
Any information leading to the whereabouts or arrest of suspect(s) should be communicated to theCID Headquartersat telephone numbers 3914945,Central Police at3913459, 999 or toll-free 0800 600125or the nearest police station.
The police will protect the identity of the informer(s)
21.06.13
Fifty (50) people have been given permission to acquire firearms from the 2013 Arms Quota Board Raffle draw that was held in Gaborone on the 19th June 2013. A total number of 8 686 people applied for permits to acquire shotguns licences whilst 16 755 applications were received for riffles.
Speaking at the raffle draw, the Deputy Commissioner of Police – Operations, Mr Victor Brunoh Paledi advised successful applicants to exercise care in handling their acquired firearms to prevent them from falling in the wrong hands. He said the government has adopted the raffle draw system so as to have a clear criteria of determining on who should or should not own a firearm.
He said that the increase in the number of reported stolen firearms is of great concern in the country as some of the stolen weapons end up being used in the commission of various criminal acts, a situation he said called on them to ensure safe custody of their weapons.
Police statistics indicate that at least 33 licenced firearms were reported stolen in 2012.
For his part Officer Incharge of the Botswana Police Service Central Arms Registry, Senior Superintendent Godffrey Onkemetse Tlogelang advised winners to consider the permit’s validity period as the permits are not renewable . He stated that is not fully processed within 12 months will be rendered invalid.
Giving a vote of thanks the Director of Wildlife and National Parks Dr Oldman Koboto said the government of Botswana is fully committed in ensuring that Botswana remains a gun free society and he also congratulated the successful applicants.
19.06.13
The Commissioner of Police Mr Keabetswe Makgophe has thanked four retiring senior police officers for serving the nation with distinction and loyalty.
Mr Makgophe thanked the officers at a reception he hosted in their honour in Gaborone on Fridays (14/06/13). The four officers are Assistant Commissioner Mrs Dolly Tukununu Motladiile, Mr Milton Mapange, Mr. Mosalagae Mmoi, and Senior Superintendent Taelo Balepile.
The Commissioner said during their service the officers demonstrated commitment and devotion to duty. He said while other officers left the Service for various reasons, quartet remained sacrificing their youthful days to serve the nation.
He appealed to them to continue assisting the police in fighting crime even during their retirement. He also recognized the support that the four retirees enjoyed from their spouses, who stood by them in difficult and challenging times.
The Commissioner appealed to those who are still serving to learn from the tried and tested men and women who have served the country with loyalty.
Mr Mosalagae Mmoi was the Deputy Director Crime Intelligence Branch, Mr Milton Mapange was the Deputy Divisional CID officer North. Mrs Motladiile was the Head of Occupational, Health, Safety, Chaplaincy and Social Welfare based at Police Headquarters while Mr Taelo Balepile was a Maintenance officer Sothern Division in Lobatse.
10.04.12
Six people died and 39 sustained serious injuries in separate road accidents during the Easter holidays. The number of accident casualties declined compared to 13 deaths and 61 serious injuries recorded in the same period last year. The police also charged 1313 motorists for over speeding, 353 drivers for driving without drivers licence, 95 for careless driving and 102 for drunken driving.
The police also recorded two (2) murders, nine (9) threats to kill, 40 rape, 72 burglary and theft, 59 house breaking and theft, 41 robbery, and 23 store breaking and theft cases.
In one incident of store breaking and theft that occurred on the 08/04/12 in Gaborone, criminals broke into a shop at Maruapula Shopping Complex and got away with cash, Curtains, clothing, DVDs valued more than P26, 000.00
In another incident of store breaking that occurred at Mahalapye Prison on 08/04/12, criminals broke into the Prison workshop stole workshop equipment such as inventor, grinder, outfit combine, pipe wrencher valued more than P4, 000.00. No one has been arrested in connection with the two cases and police investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile Botswana Police Service would like to thank members of the public, especially motorists for their cooperation at police road blocks and at other police operations.
05.04.12
Members of the Botswana Society for the Deaf have called upon Botswana Police Service to consider training police officers on sign language to be able to effectively assist the hearing impaired members of the community to access police services.
Speaking at the Information and Education Expo for the Deaf, yesterday (4/4/12) at Ramotswa, hearing impaired participants complained that Botswana Police Service was not doing anything to ensure that when they report cases at police stations they are appropriately assisted.
They said it was difficult for them to report cases as police officers who are supposed to handle their cases are always unable to understand them. They said police officers should be trained on sign language to interpret their messages when they report cases. They further asked that sign language be used on the police weekly television programme, Itshireletse, to understand the message that the program carries.
Responding to complaints from the hearing impaired, the Botswana Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube said even though Botswana Police has not started programmes targeted at the hearing impaired, efforts are being made to ensure that people in general are informed and educated on crime and crime prevention. He said broadcast programmes such as Itshireletse television programme and Crime File radio programme including publications such as Police Magazine, and annual reports are intended to provide information and education to everyone, including the deaf.
He said the deaf were equally affected by intrusive crimes such as robberies, break-ins and sexual offences, saying it was critical that they regularly receive crime messages and tips to be informed and educated.
He said efforts are being made to ensure introduction of sign language at police stations, saying they have already sent some police officers for training on sign languages. He said plans are also underway to use sign language during Itshireletse television programme broadcast and said other possible solutions to be explored include infusing crime prevention materials into the Botswana Society for the Deaf curriculum.
29.03.12
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Thebeyame Tsimako has raised his concern about the rising level of crime in Mogoditshane.
Addressing residents of Mogoditshane recently, Mr Thebeyame Tsimako said that crime has been increasing in the village. He stated that statistics indicate that penal code offences, which include break-ins, robberies, rape among others have increased from 4533 in the year 2005 to 7814 last year.
Mr Tsimako said Mogoditshane, as a semi-urban area and its closeness to the city, attracts a large number of people who come in search of greener pastures some of who end up engaging in crime. He cited alcohol abuse as one of the causes of crime in the area.
He advised residents of Mogoditshane to desist from harbouring and hiring illegal immigrants, saying that doing so is an offence on itself. He added that some illegal immigrants end up being involved in crime.
He further urged the residents to work with the police through neighbourhood watch schemes and clusters to bring down the level of crime in their area. He said that a high level of crime could scare away potential investors to the village.
For their part the residents asked the police to work with the bye-law enforcement officers to raid business as some of them are operating without trade licenses. They said that such businesses including legitimate ones have become centres of illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and other crimes, hence a need for Police investigations.
12.03.12
The Zambian government delegation have been in Botswana recently on a five-day benchmarking mission to familiarise themselves with processes and systems used by Botswana government to collect non-tax revenue from various government departments. They were more interested in how Botswana evades human contact with cash during collection processes.
Among others, the delegation visited Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Botswana Police Service and the Department of Road Transport and Safety, before heading to South Africa.
The delegation comprising officials from Zambian Ministry of Finance, Police and Road Transport and Safety Agency visited the Botswana Police Service on the 6th and 7th of March 2012 and were taken through revenue collection processes by the Director of Finance, Development and procurement, Senior Assistant Commissioner Pester Gabolekwe and Director of Traffic Senior Assistant Commissioner Victor Paledi. They were also taken on a conducted tour of Ramotswa Police and Police College.