It is quite evident that the Botswana Police Service is playing a crucial role of creating an enabling environment for tourism in the country. The safety and security provided by the police enable tourists from as far as Asia, Australia, Europe and United States of America to enjoy the magnificent hospitality coupled with attraction of wildlife species which are also a boost to Botswana’s economy. 

The Police Magazine team recently visited one of tourists’ attraction areas of Ihaha Camp Site located in the Chobe National Park just on the banks of the Chobe River which also enjoy police protection.  As the team drove into the Camp, it met with the Camp Manager Ms Bodule Kejakang who had nothing to complain about but only to praise the police for their visibility in the Camp. She said in the past years tourists used to be attacked by criminals from the Namibian side who would steal cameras, binoculars, clothing and other items. The Camp Manager recalled an incident in December 2012 in which a tourist was attacked by criminals at one of the Sites and stole almost all of his valuable items. “This made tourists feel unsecure but I want to praise the police for increased visibility especially during the night. Tourists are now very safe and since having regular patrols by the police we have never encountered any problem”, Ms Kejakang shared with the Police Magazine team.   

Ms Kejakang pointed out that Ihaha has 10 Camp Sites and during the months of April to August each year they receive a heightened number of close to 100 tourists a day and the figure always increases during festive seasons. She highlighted that tourism especially in Chobe contributes immensely to the growth of the economy therefore there is need to protect tourists from criminals. “I am happy that the police did not let the phenomenon continue and I am very grateful of their presence in the area”, she said with delight.

The team walked into Camp 1, 6 and 10 where they met with tourists from Spain and South Africa. They appeared to be in a more relaxed atmosphere and scared of nothing else except wild animals that might walk past. One of the tourists, Mr Herman Steenkamp of Limpopo in South Africa who was with his family, told the Police Magazine team how impressed he was with the security that the Botswana Police provide not only to tourists but to the entire nation. He said they came to Botswana because they believe crime is low and under control adding that Botswana is a peaceful country and it is known of its etiquette people and courteous service.   “The police are always here especially at night to keep away criminals who would want to rob us of our valuable items. We are safe, I want to thank you for that”, Mr Steenkamp said with confidence. He mentioned that they drove all the way from South Africa to relax and watch the beautiful animals that Botswana has. He said they were impressed by the excellent service at every police road block that they stopped at and said that it was a true indication of a police that has safety of all people at heart.  

Kasane Police Station Commander Superintendent Silton Fidzani who was with the Police Magazine team at Ihaha concurred with the Camp Manager and tourists who appreciated police presence at Ihaha. He said in the past criminals from villages along the Chobe River in the Namibian side used to cross into Botswana using paddled canoes to attack tourists.  “Some of the paddled canoes that were used by these criminals have been seized from them. They attacked tourists at night and vanished with their valuable items like cameras, clothing and anything that they could lay their hands on”, he added. He further stated that they did not let this continue and ever since they deployed officers at night to provide regular foot and boat patrols no such incidents were recorded this year.

Superintendent Fidzani also mentioned that Chobe is a tourism area therefore there is need for the police to employ concrete mechanisms to fight crime so that all people who visit Chobe are safe from criminals.  “We are not only concentrated at Ihaha Camp Sites but we also patrol Camp Sites for the Hotel and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) which are also in the Park”, Mr Fidzani pointed out that this has worked for them because no incidents were recorded since the beginning of the year.

According to the statistics provided by Kasane Police, in 2010 a case of breaking into motor vehicle at Ihaha was recorded and in 2011 only one robbery case was registered. This is a clear indication that the police presence at Ihaha has brought a significant difference in reducing crime in the area.