Govt authorises DWNP to use military-grade weapons
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has commenced the highly anticipated process of reinstating arms of war to the DWNP Anti-Poaching Unit.
In collaboration with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), the department is developing a program to retrain and equip Anti-Poaching staff with the necessary skills for the safe and proper handling of military-grade weapons.
This has been one of the most debated issues that brings about emotions ever since government decided to disarm the DWNP in 2018, especially to communities that coexist with wildlife and Wardens.
The subject matter became one of the most progressive decisions made by the current session's legislators. They engaged in a thorough and critical discussion, ultimately agreeing to return military-grade weapons and equipment to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DNPW) for anti-poaching efforts.
This decision does not diminish the contributions of other government agencies that have carried out this task since 2018—often under unnecessary strain. Unlike wildlife officers, these agencies were not specifically trained to track animals in the wild.
Restoring arms to the DNPW will not only benefit the economy but will also help restore the department’s reputation as the primary guardian of wildlife and a key pillar of the Ministry of Tourism.
Poachers, who operate in large numbers and are known to shoot anything standing between them and their targets, pose a significant threat that requires a well-equipped and specialized response.
During the debate, some legislators, such as the Nata-Gweta MP and Assistant Minister of Health, Lawrance Ookeditse, found it difficult to contain their emotions. Ookeditse passionately described the struggles of his constituents, who coexist with wildlife yet receive minimal benefits despite their efforts to protect it.
He urged the government to avoid the 'banality of evil'—a dangerous complacency similar to that of the previous administration, where suffering was ignored as long as it did not affect those in power.
'In this case, the 'banality of evil' affects my people back home,' he stated. 'Some may downplay the issue, saying they only encounter a few elephants occasionally, but the reality is far more severe.
“The previous government failed in its duty because Chapter 3 of the Constitution mandates the protection of life and property. Section 3 does not limit this protection to threats from other human beings—it extends to threats from wildlife as well. The government must uphold this responsibility.'
During the 12th session of Parliament, the government introduced a motion to amend the Arms and Ammunition Act. Presenting the bill, the then Minister explained that the Arms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill of 2022 aimed, among other things, to clarify the roles of the Police Commissioner and the Arms and Ammunition Licensing Board.
He noted that some of the licensing board’s powers would be transferred to the commissioner, particularly regarding the licensing of commercial importation, exportation, and civilian use of arms and ammunition.
The amendment, he said, was a response to the rising influx of firearms, which required urgent attention. Additionally, the bill sought to impose stricter penalties under the Act to address this issue.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that the bill proposed removing air guns, air pistols, and air rifles from the definition of firearms, as they did not belong in the same category.
However, Ngami MP Caterpillar Hikuama expressed concerns about the bill’s intent, stating that while he had no issue with the amendment itself, he feared it was designed to target specific individuals. He emphasised that laws in a democracy should not be used for such purposes.
On the other hand, Kanye South MP Dr. Lemogang Kwape supported the bill, arguing that it was timely and not aimed at any individuals. He stressed that the amendments were necessary to uphold the rule of law, as the rise in arms and ammunition had contributed to an increase in armed robberies, threatening national security and discouraging investment.
Palapye MP Onneetse Ramogapi, however, raised concerns about the severity of the proposed punishments, pointing out that prison sentences for certain offenses would increase from 10 to 25 years. He also noted that fines had been significantly raised, with some increasing from P20 000 to P500 000 and others from P30 000 to P300 000.
Ramogapi further argued that the amendments failed to consider that not all convicted individuals had intentionally broken the law, as some were simply unable to defend themselves adequately in court. He also criticized the bill for focusing solely on firearm possession while neglecting crimes committed using firearms.
The long-standing argument has been that the Anti-Poaching Unit of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) plays a crucial role in protecting the country’s wildlife resources from poachers and other illegal wildlife activities.
Poaching, along with the illegal trade of wildlife resources, is particularly challenging to combat due to its covert nature, remote occurrence, and highly organized and lucrative operations. It is a crime unlike any other, as it takes place deep in the wilderness and poses significant threats to both wildlife and enforcement officers.
Over the years, poaching has evolved into a sophisticated transnational trade worth billions of dollars. Perpetrators have become increasingly aggressive, heavily armed, and dangerous, putting the lives of wildlife officers at risk. Therefore, it is essential for the Anti-Poaching Unit to be properly equipped and armed to handle these threats effectively.
Since 1988, the Anti-Poaching Unit has relied on military-grade weapons to combat illegal wildlife offtake, significantly contributing to Botswana’s success in curbing poaching. In the 30 years of using these weapons, there has never been an incident of misuse. However, in May 2018, the weapons were withdrawn due to concerns that existing laws did not explicitly permit the department to use
arms of war.
This disarmament had severe consequences, leading to a surge in poaching incidents, particularly targeting high-value species like rhinos. Without adequate firepower, the Anti-Poaching Unit struggled to control the escalating poaching crisis, resulting in the near decimation of Botswana’s rhino population.
Recognising the detrimental impact of disarmament, the government has decided to rearm the Anti-Poaching Unit to ensure they are fully equipped to tackle the growing poaching threats. To provide a legal framework for this decision, the current administration moved to amend the law, ensuring that the department is authorised to carry and use military-grade weapons.
This week, Acting Minister of Tourism Pius Mokgware tabled a draft bill proposing amendments to the Act, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed their support for the initiative.