Prisons get over P4 million for support
A number of Prisons across the country will finally get a facelift through the current development budget of the Transition National Development Plan (TNDP).
Minister of Finance Peggy Serame confirmed in her Monday’s budget allocation, naming the Ministry of Defence and Security as the fourth largest share of the proposed Development Budget at P1.87 billion or 8.90 percent.
She said the funds are primarily for provision of infrastructure, defence and communication equipment for the Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service and the Botswana Prisons and Rehabilitation Service.
Warders and inmates in some areas are living and working under appalling conditions.
Serame’s budget rubber-stamped the request made by Defence Minister, Kagiso Mmusi during the December session where he requested over P6.1 billion to upgrade all law enforcement unit standards including buying aircraft for Botswana Defence Force (BDF), as well as enhancing the use of drones by Botswana Police.
Mmusi said he intends to spend over P4 million for the support and maintenance of private security licensing system and procurement of new Information and Communications, as well as funding Botswana Prisons Service projects including upgrading the headquarters which currently is over populated.
Making a case for Prisons, Mmusi said the P392,300,000 requested for the Prisons Service would fund the fencing of prison facilities in selected prisons, purchase of prisons security equipment fleet expansion; construction of prisons headquarters building; construction of staff housing, Gaborone women's prison; construction of Sepopa prison farm, purchase of communications equipment; the introduction of a case management system and
development of prisons management system, among others.
He also asked parliament to grant his ministry headquarters P4, 900,000 to enable for the support and maintenance of private security licensing system and procurement of new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment, vehicles for the newly established Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Management Authority. The equipment includes desktop computers, laptops, printers and related Information and Communications Technology (ICT) gadgets.
Mmusi moved that the development budget in the sum of P6,130,800,000 for his Ministry be approved and stand part of the Second TNDP.
He said national peace and security issues have always been an indispensable condition for the well-being of the country, as fear of crime is a social problem that directly impacts on quality of life.
"It is imperative that our strategic policies guard against compromising our national safety and security. Provision of national security is fundamental for economic development and prosperity," he said, adding that a robust and credible security system provides an enabling environment that boosts the country’s ability to attract investment, as well as global competitiveness.
Mmusi requested P4, 259,000,000 for the BDF. He said the amount is intended to enhance territorial integrity by undertaking the following; provision of equipment, aircraft and vehicles for the force in order to strengthen its capability, as well as addressing security challenges and emerging threats, provision of credible military deterrence, strengthening defence capabilities which entails the acquisition of defence capability to ensure that the nation is protected against all emerging threats including poaching, and border incursions.
He asked Parliament to approve the sum of P1, 474,600,000 for the Botswana Police Service developmental activities.
“There will also be refurbishment of some police stations across the country, as well as installation and networking of the same to allow for access to e-services among others”. He said the Private Security Industry is a thriving, diverse industry covering a range of services from manned guarding to technology-based security systems.
As a result of this rapid growth, during National Development Plan (NDP) 11, the Ministry enacted the Private Security Services Act, 2015 to create a professional, regulated private security industry.
The new Act provides for the introduction of new security service sectors such as Specialists, Close Protection, Electronic, and Private investigation, and Advisory Services.
Mmusi said during National Development Plan 11, his Ministry, teamed up with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub and Smart-Bots to automate private security licensing processes.