Facing major headwinds even stronger than the merciless global recession that humbled advanced nations, Botswana’s next state president need to show his mettle and act decisively on violent crime. The incoming president must loudly give unambiguous assurances that his is truly a government that is committed to serve all; a government we can be proud of regardless of one’s social status.
When we talk about the scourge of violent crime, Batswana of all backgrounds including those with the most sophisticated security establishments agree on the need to act urgently before civilians arm themselves and start shooting innocent passers-by. The reality is that Botswana is experiencing exponential growth wherein people are battered before being robbed of their valued possessions; wherein people are maimed and many brutally murdered for their mobile phones. Yet, we have tended to apportion blame for high levels of crime on the poor.
It is common knowledge that the fish rots from the head. There is a proverb that goes ‘he who does not farts let out silent ones’. Whereas a smelly fart is often blamed on the ordinary folk, such normally originates from the very top and this is because they know they cannot take the blame for it. An incompetent, self-serving and greedy administration offers incentives for crime hence accounts for rising crime levels in the country. Research on unethical conduct shows that as social animals, people mimic the behaviours of others and this chiefly applies to the underclass groups that are more inclined to copying the behaviours of celebrities and their idols.
President Dr Khama is idolised by countless by people from all walks of life. His military background and his exceptional abilities in a variety of energy-intensive-come-see-me shows such as fat boy challenge, off-road racing and quad biking make him a hero that many people across the social spectrum want to emulate. Such copycats would include petty criminals who envy his flamboyant lifestyle that epitomises physique, toughness, might and bravery.
In their eyes, President Dr Khama is an undoubtedly talented and fearless man who possesses valuable dangerous skills that can be used in varying circumstances for personal benefit. In this respect, criminals of all make and type look up to President Dr Khama’s fearlessness for inspiration especially in terms of hounding others and delighting in their capitulation as a show of rare skills. In some ways the behaviours of violent criminals compare favourably with those of our pompous leaders in that both feed off the pain and suffering of others. Thus, as social animals when low class people see other people doing bad things but profiting from their bad deeds or wrongdoing, they are tempted to follow suit.
Bandura social leaning theory posits that people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modelling. Along this line of argument, research in social leaning reveals that there is a correlation between corruption in government and/or unethical behaviour in a society and higher levels of violent crime. This suggests that a corrupt government superintended by a wealthy and greedy leadership offers impetus for criminal behaviours among members of the society. Many leaders act as role models such that greedy political leaders act as [imperfect] role models hence likely to induce a rise in criminal activities across the social spectrum as people do what their role models (leaders) do. For instance, in 2016 a group of people who boasted about being hard core criminals gave the eThekwini Municipality (Durban and the surrounding areas) an ultimatum to give them tenders without bidding or they would sabotage the provision of key services such as water and electricity. The group calling itself Amadelangokubona Business Forum argued that their demands were prompted by their knowledge about the award of tenders to members of Umkhonto We Sizwe as well as the African National Congress (ANC) without due process.
Since becoming the president of the Republic of Botswana, Dr Khama has never determinedly committed his government to fighting crime with the same vigour he committed to the war against alcohol use and the private media. In his inauguration speech in 2008, President Dr Khama resolutely committed his government to instilling discipline in the Botswana society commenting that nothing can be achieved successfully without discipline. He highlighted alcohol abuse, reckless driving on roads, disrespect for elders, vandalism of school property, wastage of scarce resources, use of abusive language in public discourse, defamation, slander and false statements in the media as the social problems that demanded his urgent attention and he indeed invested a lot of resources in dealing with these problems.
To underscore his missionary zeal in his war against alcohol use, President Dr Khama made it a habit to unilaterally increase levy (sin tax) imposed on alcoholic beverages. His commitment to tackling this social problem saw him being hauled before the courts by Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) and Botswana Breweries Limited (BBL) who feared that his intolerance of alcohol use was killing the alcohol industry. In spite of the legal battles and public protestations, President Khama stood his grounds and bolstered his assault on alcohol use by. Such is the extent of his commitment in his fight against alcohol use.
Inversely, President Dr Khama and his government’s commitment to fighting crime has been half-hearted, uninspired and generally indifferent as to be hesitant or unwilling. President Dr Khama has lacked passion and toughness in his lamentations on crime. While known for talking tough on alcohol and the private media, his attitude towards the fight against crime has been laidback and casual.
In many ways, the fight against crime has been left to a police service that is grossly under-resourced and understaffed in ways that sought to give criminals space to operate without worrying about security agents. This evidently suggests lack of requisite political will in the war on crime. Essentially, presidential leadership in the fight against crime would be more acclaimed than the rants and threats by the police chief who in 2017 proclaimed that his men were ready to shoot armed and dangerous criminals. Such threats would have had a chilling effect had they been pronounced by the state president who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. In the absence of expressed support from his political superiors to sniff out criminals, the Commissioner of Police appeared bluffing and sounded frustrated and pretentious.
It is a fact that our leaders need to set an example and set a tone that will increase respect for the law and lessen chances of commission of crime. While talking tough cannot on its own root out criminals, it nevertheless reiterates government commitment in ensuring the safety of people and property. Talking tough on crime legitimizes the numerous policies and strategies for preventing the commission of crime. Law enforcement and better policing strategies and interventions that are not backed up by the necessary political will have little chances of success.
Higher levels of crime actually reflect a sick society and since a fish rots from the head, it is safe to opine that the disease that causes this sickness first and foremost afflict the political leadership. The stench of our society should therefore be traced at the government enclave, in particular the Office of the President. It is pretty impractical to reduce crime in our society when we are governed by corrupt and greedy leaders who are literally and figuratively our role models, guides, mentors and tutors.
Based on this compelling submission, it is concluded that the first port of call in our endeavour to confront the scourge of crime is to have a clean leadership that cannot be accused of having double standards and engaging in double speak; a leadership that stands to serve common interests and subordinate their own interests. We await His Honour Vice President Masisi’s presidency with much anticipation trusting that he will show his mettle and boldly commit himself to providing the presidential leadership that will turn the tide against the scourge of crime in our beloved Botswana.
