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Botswana Police’s drug purge: 75 arrests in 3 weeks

Botswana Police Service (BPS) has in the past three weeks engaged in possibly the largest drug operation in the history of Botswana, consequently making approximately 75 drug related busts in greater Gaborone areas alone.  

Weekend Post has established that the police have dispatched an array of resources in order to rescue the drug situation in the country and take to book those arrested as the campaign spreads. There are indications that the drugs (suppliers) come to the country through South African borders from Swaziland and sometimes Mozambique. Since the elevation of the campaign, the police have arrested people from drug related offenses which also include robberies and break-ins and in the arrests made, suspects were mostly found in possession of stolen goods or the drugs.

In terms of the drugs, the most dominant drugs as registered by BPS are dagga (marijuana), and although before last year dagga was followed by cocaine, as of now it has been overtaken by Methcathinone or CAT (now second most) in the country. Speaking exclusively with this publication this week, Botswana Police Public Relations Officer Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube said, “It has been 3 weeks now in the drugs campaign and already we have arrested 75 and counting. The suspects were questioned by the police, most of who were nailed while in possession of the drugs.”

According to Motube, of the 75 suspects arrested only 25 have already been charged for 14 cases in which 12 were dagga (marijuana) related while 2 were cocaine cases. In the said cases: “there were 19 males and 6 females involved which were aged between 24 and 58 years and all were caught in Greater Gaborone area.” The monetary value and weight of the seized drugs could not be established at the time of going to press; Motube said they were yet to ascertain it. However in one incident, as part of the intensified campaign, a truck crossing into Botswana with dagga estimated to cost more than one million pula in monetary value was seized.

In addition Motube said that 4 people, aged between 24 and 29, were also separately arrested in Gaborone North at the close of this week in connection with ‘improvised drugs’. The quartet was in possession of improvised drugs which were in the form of a concoction of fanta grape (fizzy beverage) and cough syrup. Some of them include mixing coke and pills. According to the police spokesperson, the drugs (particularly cough syrup) were not prescribed for those in possession from a medical practitioner. The drugs, he continued to highlight, are also on the rise and are a concern to the Police Service. He said that they are rampant amongst students as they are easily accessible and affordable.

What prompted the police drug raids?

The BPS believes that drugs are the root cause of all societal ills and crime activity currently bedevilling the country. As the BPS spokesperson put it, the drug situation in Botswana is a threat to peace and tranquillity and impacts the society negatively, both socially and economically. Motube asserted with confidence: “all problems bedevilling our society, the major root cause is drug abuse. I say this because the drugs are expensive and more addictive than alcohol.” “So, people get involved in criminal activities in order to fund their next drugs fix.”

Motube narrated that the drug users grow into hardcore criminals and start doing house breakings, carry out street robberies, house invasions and become very dangerous, murdering people.  “All the offenses that touch on human behaviour, integrity and rights, we blame it on abuse of drugs, that is; Domestic and Gender Violence, all these issues emanate from drinking spots. You will find out that those we arrest having committed these issues would later concede to having used drugs or be found in possession of them (drugs).”

Motube asserted that it is important for the drugs situation to be addressed head on. “Nowadays we see even students carrying drugs at schools and in the event some selling them. Such students hide drugs in their school uniform ‘ties’ as we found out during our searching strategy. This kills our education system and the future of our children. We end up raising drug lords thinking they are innocent students.” Motube further pointed out that the police will continue to come up with new strategies to fight drug peddling in the country. “We had to adjust our policing programmes and structures to see what can work for the country. The campaign is running indefinite, we are not sure when it will stop,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the recent campaign has been seen by many as targeting “small fish” particularly in the city’s “slum” areas who deal in dagga but avoiding elite residential areas where the big fish are possibly peddling high end drugs like cocaine. In response to this, Motube said their campaign does not have vocabulary for any drug dealer. “The campaign is on. It’s law enforcement. Our campaign does not have a vocabulary of small or big fish. Nobody is immune. It’s just a matter of time before we reach other areas. We will also come to Phakalane suburban area which is seen as a no go area. Even those who hide the drugs, they should be scared of us and our black dog is coming will sniff all those drugs in their hidden spots.”

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BDF SERVICE MEMBER DIES IN MOZAMBIQUE

27th March 2024

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) says one of its service members deployed in Cabo – Delgado Province in the Republic of Mozambique due to a short illness.

The member passed away on this morning.

The deceased Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) was deployed as part of the BDF’s Contingent 5 under SAMIM Forces in the Cabo Delgado Province for peace support operations in the Republic of Mozambique.

The next of kin have been informed.

 

 

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BTC’S FINANCIAL INCLUSION PROGRAMME COVERS THE OKAVANGO DISTRICT

22nd March 2024

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) continued its financial inclusion programme in the Okavango district, covering areas such as Habu, Etsha 6, Ikoga and Nxaunxau. The drive will this week move to areas around Shakawe sub district, still under the Okavango district. The BTC financial literacy campaign, which is delivered in partnership with Bank of Botswana and Hollard is designed to give financially excluded Batswana access to financial services through literacy and opening of a transactional account. BTC partnered with Hollard to develop Karabo Funeral plan which is an inclusive product (affordable). As part of the delivery of this programme, BTC has so far launched and partnered with Village Development Committees (VDCs) in sixteen (17) villages to transform them into BTC service centres. A total of 30 villages countrywide will be covered as BTC continues to engage the leadership and residents on mobile financial service solutions.

Speaking at the financial inclusion engagement in the Okavango region, BTC Head of Mobile Financial Services (Acting), Mr Kgosietsile Moatlhodi stated that through these engagements, BTC supports the Government of Botswana’s inclusion initiative which aims at ensuring that Batswana, regardless of their geographical position and financial status, have access to a transaction account; a transaction account serves as a gateway to other financial services such as insurance and medical aid.

Additionally, he informed residents of a success story of the partnership that BTC has formulated with Ghanzi District Council. “Under this partnership, the two entities signed a partnership with BTC for bulk payments using Smega following the discontinuation of cheques, that is to include non-banked communities throughout the district. He added that “this partnership forms a critical part in the financial inclusion agenda which aims to improve the economic livelihood of all Batswana as per the Bank of Botswana mandate to ensure that all communities participate in the financial ecosystem”. He stated that the partnership was a move in the right direction, as Smega bulk payments solution can pay beneficiaries instantly on their Smega wallets.

Residents were also cautioned not to entertain fraudsters that lure them to reveal their personal sensitive information in order to rob them. Speaking on fraud awareness, BTC Compliance Manager, Mr Tumeo Lesole stated that one must never think that they can win a competition that they never participated on in. He cautioned Batswana and users of BTC services not to be too trusting and do background checks to avoid being scammed and robbed. Moreover, as part of the literacy training,

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Masisi rejects BDP suspensions

21st March 2024

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is gearing up for its primary elections, known as Bulela Ditswe, and the Party Central Committee (CC) has made it clear that there will be suspensions of potential primary elections candidates. The Political Education and Electoral Committee (PEEC) has been instructed not to entertain any complaints that may arise, and any suspensions brought by regions or branches will be set aside. The decision also has the blessing of the party leader, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Sources inside the party say the decision to not vet or suspend candidates is a strategic move by the party leadership to ensure a level playing field for all contenders. The CC wants all candidates to have an equal opportunity to compete in the primaries, without any bias or favoritism. This directive also aims to prevent any accusations of the party leadership being partial towards certain candidates.

Despite complaints from some branches and regions about alleged improper actions against certain candidates, the CC has chosen to ignore these grievances. The party leadership is adamant that all candidates who have expressed their intention to contest should be allowed to do so, without any hindrance. There were complaints raised against potential candidates such as Odirile Sento affectionately known as Vee Mampeezy in the music circles; some complaints had also surfaced from the Mmadinare constituency by minister Molebatsi Molebatsi. In addition, prospective candidates such as Tshepang Mabaila who was sabotaged in 2019 has also been allowed to submit his name as a possible candidate. Mabaila will contest for Parliamentary seat in Mogoditshane East. Mabaila was barred from contesting; and Tumiso Rakgare used the chance and went on to win the elections. This year Rakgare will contest the Mogoditshane West constituency. Some had questioned the eligibility of Dorcas Makgato to contest citing expression of interest deadline having passed; but this has also been quashed.

“It is clear that the BDP is determined to uphold the principles of democracy and fairness in its internal processes. The decision to allow all candidates to compete in the primaries reflects the party’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity. By refusing to suspend potential candidates as proposed by some regions, the BDP is sending a strong message that it values the input and participation of all its members,” observed one Member of Parliament who preferred anonymity.

The primaries are scheduled to take place in April, and it is evident that President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is also the party leader, does not want to be seen as biased in any way. The only vetting that will take place will involve candidates who may have obvious misdemeanors such as criminal background or pending criminal cases and those that do not meet the criteria to represent the party. The BDP is known for its democratic traditions, and the decision to refrain from vetting or suspending candidates is in line with the party’s ethos of fairness and equality.

The BDP primaries will proceed with the expected central committee vetting but proposed  suspensions of possible candidates by some regions have been rejected. The party leadership has made it clear that all contenders will have an equal opportunity to compete, and any complaints or grievances will not be entertained. “This decision underscores the BDP’s commitment to democracy and transparency, and sets the stage for a competitive and inclusive electoral process.”

 

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