Tlokweng isn't burning, says Police boss

Tlokweng Station Commander Robson Maleka has dismissed reports that Tlokweng village is slowly turning into a haven for criminal activity. Maleka was speaking to The Midweek Sun to shed light in the aftermath of a rape wave that recently rocked the village. “I cannot deny that there are criminal activities happening in Tlokweng. However, they are not as scary as people paint them to be, if that was the case we would be having records to prove it but we have none,” he said. His official records show that seven women were raped from November 2017 to April 2018.

The crimes were allegedly committed by people of Zimbabwean origin but residing in South Africa, who have since been arrested and are awaiting trial. Maleka is certain that the Zimbabwean men were not residing in Botswana saying this explains why it took them long to catch them. Had the men been in the country, Maleka said it would have been easy to arrest them before they do any further harm to the society. Maleka cautioned people against blowing the recent events in the village out of proportion. He said that before the incidents hit Tlokweng last year, the village was relatively peaceful. Meanwhile an elder Moses Thabakgetsi (52) said criminals normally target secluded areas like Metlhabeng and Maratanang. “Those are the areas where people are normally robbed, their valuables and the police need to keep their eyes open. I fear visiting such places because

I do not want to become a victim,” he said. But Maleka was once more in defensive mode maintaining that police are always on patrol and close down illegal sheebens, which they sometimes find operating at odd hours. Another resident of Sotoma ward Keolebogile Kgofa (32) said their place is always noisy because of the loud music being played at night. She said such environment is conducive for criminals to rob and assault the people.

The situation she said is made worse by the many depots surrounding her place saying they are on most days forced to sleep late because they deal with drunkards, chasing them out of their home. The deputy paramount chief of Batlokwa Michael Spokes Gaborone said the only major concern the village is facing is the illegal sand mining by Zimbabweans. Gaborone said it is sad that these foreigners mine sand and sell it to the local community. He appealed to Tlokweng residents to help in dealing away with the problem because the police cannot manage alone. They are also disturbed by loud music played at night in bars. Besides this, he said Tlokweng is a clean village that they intend to ensure that it is safe for all residents especially the girl child.