A Basarwa human rights organisation, Botswana Khwedom Council says it is skeptical about the recruitment of Basarwa into the Botswana Police Service (BPS) as they are being recruited for the lower ranks.
Since the program started three years ago, only 71 Basarwa tribesmen have been recruited to join BPS.
Executive director of the Botswana Khwedom Council, Keikabile Mogodu said he is skeptical about the program as the BPS is no longer engaging them during the recruitment exercise as they used to involve them when the program started.
He explained that when the program started the BPS approached them to assist in the recruitment drive which to him was a very good idea.
“The Botswana Police only engaged us when the program started and the following year but thereafter they have never said anything to date,” Mogodu said.
He said there are people who are benefiting unlawfully from the program as they are not Basarwa and have been recruited to join the BPS fraudulently.
 He stated that his council is there to assist the BPS and ensure that the program becomes a success rather than a flop.
┬á“What hurts me most is the fact since the program started ┬áthree years ago, Basarwa have been recruited for the lower ranks which I think is not right at all and that needs to be addressed,” he stated.┬á
Mogodu questioned the wisdom of the BPS recruiting Basarwa for lower ranks wondering when they intend to recruit them for higher ranks.
He added that there are many Basarwa who are highly qualified to join the BPS.
However, Mogodu said the organisation is happy that a high number of Basarwa are joining the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) and that they also want them to rise to higher ranks.
He said it is of paramount importance that as much as everyone wants Basarwa to improve their standard of living, they should be given those opportunities to prove themselves and also prove their capabilities as any of the other Batswana.
 Police spokesperson, Dipheko Motube, explained that the program was started by government through the affirmative action exercise, adding that it is being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government in order to bridge the gap with regard to Remote Rural Dwellers.
He indicated that through this BPS is committed to employ 10 percent of Basarwa per given quota. He said since the programs started, about 71 Basarwa tribesmen were recruited to join the BPS.
┬á“In 2011 when the program began 18 Basarwa were invited ÔÇô 13 men and five women. Fifteen candidates were called at Police college in 2012 ÔÇô eight men and seven women. The following year those recruited were 10 males and eight were 10 females. This year 20 were also recruited, 10 males and t females,” he said.
 
Motube said the number of female recruits is very low due to pregnancy when screened during recruitment therefore males seem to dominate the process.
He said some of the challenges hampering the program include lack of transport.
┬á“After having been identified by the scouting team in all the concerned settlements, it becomes very difficult for the shortlisted individuals to arrive at the College on the set date to resume the recruitment process due to lack of transportation by the Department of Social and Community Development,” said Motube.
