As crime spirals out of control with people living in constant fear of criminals, many Batswana feel unsafe walking in their neighbourhood. The recently released Afrobarometer report by Star Awards indicates that many Batswana are of the view that government is performing badly on reducing crime as it continues to spiral out of control.

The survey indicated that half of Batswana say they feel unsafe in their neighbourhood while about the same proportion feared crime in their homes. The survey’s key findings indicate that feeling unsafe in the neighbourhood is far more common among citizens as 50% of them felt unsafe walking in their neighbourhood and almost 45% report fearing crime in their homes.

The Afrobarometer findings suggest crime/ insecurity ranks second behind unemployment, among the most important problems that Batswana want their government to address and citizens give the government poor marks on reducing crime.

“Respondents were asked how well or badly would they say the current government is performing on reducing and handling crime. Six in 10 citizens, about 59% say the government is performing very badly, 34% said the government is performing fairly badly while only 5% saying it is doing very well,” reads the survey.

Violent crime is rising in the Greater Gaborone and as history has it, one might fear that it may spread across the nation as innocent citizens are

becoming victims of the merciless criminals who are not afraid to kill. Citizens are left traumatised, fearful of their surroundings and having to deal with post-traumatic stress disorders years after the ordeal. The rise in violent crime particularly aggravated assault on innocent citizens and dispossessing them of their hard-earned properties are of great concern.

When delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, President Mokgweetsi Masisi stated that the escalation of crime in Botswana is of serious concern eroding the peace and tranquility, which citizens have enjoyed over the years. He, however, stated that the government is enhancing the capacity of its law enforcement institutions for effective response to crime.

Masisi further revealed that it is disheartening that while the country has tried various interventions to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), more reports of horrendous acts of abuse continue to emerge. He stated that children and women

are demeaned, bullied, defiled, raped and murdered compounded by disturbing trends of cyber bullying and rising incidents of missing persons. He also raised concern over horrendous acts of abuse which continue to emerge stating that more should be done to ensure that the perpetrators of violent crimes fully account for their heinous acts.

The President further urged all to complement the efforts of the government and do their part as responsible citizens and residents.

“Gender equality remains one of the key priorities of this government. The rising incident of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which mostly affects women and girls remains one of the greatest challenges. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that women and girls are treated fairly for them to reach their full potential,” he said.

Masisi said social ills, particularly tensions in gender relations in society, are worrisome hence the need to introspect on whether these social ills are consistent with cultural values. “Our values and norms as a society in the treatment of girls and women in relation to boys and men right from the family unit have been eroded. Ke keletso ya rona go nna chaba e e boitshwaro jo bontle, go tshidisanya sentle go sa kgathalesege gore o motho wa letso lefe, bong bofe, tumelo efe kgotsa seemo sefe. We need to ensure that the perpetrators of violent and intrusive crimes fully account for their heinous acts,” he said.

Furthermore, he said it was imperative that all citizens should revive the strong family and community structures, values that produce and nurture responsible citizens who regard and treat others with dignity. He stated that the government continues to strengthen the criminal justice system including stiffening penalties and rehabilitation of offenders to stem the tide of social ills.

When addressing the media recently, the Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi recently revealed that the country has experienced an upsurge in cases of robberies where in most cases there was use of fire arms and thereby posing danger to the lives of both members of the public and law enforcement officers.

Mmusi shared the President’s sentiments that GBV related offences such as murder, rape and defilement of persons under the age of 18 are a serious cause of concern. He stated that various interventions to combat GBV have been put in place but there continues to be reports of horrendous acts of abuse against children and women.

Mmusi revealed that the country has experienced an upsurge in cases of robberies where in most cases there was use of fire arms and thereby posing danger to lives of both members of the public and law enforcement officers.