As a way to try to strengthen the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), the spy agency has requested P737.20 million for National Development Plan (NDP) 2023/2024. According to the NDP draft plan, which is yet to be tabled before Parliament, the programme aims to provide the necessary infrastructure in order to assure an environment of peace and security. Already the draft NDP 2023/2024 has been shared with Members of Parliament (MPs).

Recently, when President Mokgweetsi Masisi delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) he said the formulation of the NDP 12 has been deferred to the financial year 2025/2026 on account of reforms in our planning processes. “I firmly believe that democratic ethos compel us to respect the will of our people, such that, the strategic agenda of government should always be driven by election promises. These reforms are meant to align national planning with the electoral cycle,” he said.

As per the NDP 2023/2024 report, already ongoing projects at the DIS include their communication, computer equipment, geospatial, security equipment, infrastructure, vehicles and consultancies.

On the other hand, strengthening the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) capabilities total estimated cost of P15.40 million. According to the report, the objective of this programme is to strengthen the DCEC’s capabilities in investigating corruption, conducting public education and reinforcing corruption prevention initiatives within public entities.

It will focus on providing security, equipment and skills enhancement to respond to the complex and ever-evolving corruption environment.

Masisi said the government remains committed to the fight against corruption and will close all avenues for corruption. In addition, he said Botswana’s decline in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index of 2021 is of great concern.

“As a counter measure, stronger inter-agency cooperation is a must to restore the integrity of government processes and structures. With respect to fighting crime, the government recruited 1,000 police officers in 2022 to enhance law enforcement and increase visibility,” he revealed.

“A total of twenty-seven (27) police posts will be constructed during the Transitional National Development Plan to bring public security services closer to Batswana. To further intensify the war against crime, we will take advantage of digital technology using specialised equipment, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Technology commonly known as drones.”