Mmokolodi residents once blocked the road that passes through their village by placing big stones and other substances so that big trucks ferrying quarry stones did not pass through.
This followed an unfortunate incident in which a school going child was hit to death by one of the trucks. Their long standing queries about the situation fell on deaf ears. Their action paid dividends- albeit temporarily. Some provisions were put in place to appease the enraged residents.
But the Divisional Commander ÔÇôSouth Central Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner Foreman Baganetswe, explains that the villagers’ action was wrong as they did not have the legal power to block the road.
He, however, hastened to explain that it was an expression of displeasure by the community there. This action is one example that shows that crime prevention should have statutory provision that binds all stakeholders to actively participate in crime prevention.
“The time for Botswana to have a legal instrument that binds all stakeholders to partake in fight against crime is overdue. This is an Act of parliament which gives specific functions and roles to play by all stakeholders in the fight against crime,” he said.
With the instrument in place, the way to address the above incident would have been for the chief of the area to call together various stakeholders, ending with resolutions that would permanently solve the problem. As it is currently, he said, the chief could call Lands Department, Department of Mines, Council and any other stakeholder, but they may give reasons for not turning up for such important meeting. No legal action would be taken against them for failure to turn up because nothing really is binding them.
The need for this instrument is also shown in the way developments are done in the country.
“Take the airport junction mall for instance. Had there been crime prevention statutory provision, projects worth millions like those could have been developed with the input of the police.
Strategies would be set up to ensure security of the area. The Police knowledge of the development would help them prepare in advance, by adjusting their budget, resources – including personnel and everything necessary for perfect protection,” said Baganetswe.
He said the ration of police to the policing population is 1:106, adding that provision of security to emerging malls and shopping centers to that is over burdening the police service. It appears emerging developments are much faster than the recruitment and training of the police law enforcing agents.
Stakeholders like the council should know that their role in crime prevention is to ensure street lights are always working. Bushy areas should be de-bushed to ease police work. Where there is fault a platform guided by statutory provision should be set up where discussions would be held and legally binding resolutions reached.
The Divisional Commander thinks that the best way to monitor his ever increasing policing area is using electronic policing. The old method they are currently using is no longer viable.
“There is need to install cameras and CCTVs and a control centre where monitoring will be done. There is need for us as the Police council, business communities to work together. Once we work together will be possible to create conducive environment for our people,” he concluded.
