CRIME SURGE: 1437 raped, 1030 defiled, 242 murdered

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has declared war against crime promising that his government will do everything in its power to eliminate or at least reduce it in the country.

Giving the State of the Nation Address this week in Gaborone, the President said there is need to ensure that perpetrators of violence and intrusive crimes fully account for their heinous acts.

Government, he shared, is currently strengthening the criminal justice system including stiffening penalties and rehabilitation of offenders to stem the tide of social ills. “It is disheartening that while we have tried various interventions to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV), there continues to be more reports of horrendous acts of abuse.

“Children and women are demeaned, bullied, defiled, raped and murdered. The disturbing trends of cyber bullying and rising incidents of missing persons compound the situation,” Masisi said. Botswana Police Services (BPS) spokesperson Dipheko Motube told The Midweek Sun this week that since the beginning of the year, they have registered 1 437 rape cases, while 1 030 have been defiled, and 242 have been murdered. Other crimes that give the police a headache include house breakings and theft at 1 000 cases and burglary and theft at 622. Armed robberies are at 718, while store breaking and theft is at 756.

“We need members of the community to help us combat crime in the country. The numbers are disturbing,” Motube said. Meanwhile, the President further advised the nation to introspect on whether social ills are consistent with cultural values, adding that the nation’s values in the treatment of girls and women in relation to boys and men right from the family unit have eroded. “It is imperative that all of us revive the strong family and community structures and values that produce and nurture responsible citizens who regard and treat others with dignity.”

Masisi added that government is also committed to providing an environment safe for children to grow and reach their full potential. This is why they have established a child-friendly police service centre in Gaborone which has now expanded to Francistown, Shakawe and Letlhakane. The service will make it easy to report cases of abuse of children.