Police statistics released this past Tuesday paint a grim picture of crime in the country.
Between January 1 and February 9, a disturbing 29 murders have already been recorded—three more than last year during the same period.
Reports of rape have slightly decreased, with 133 cases this year compared to 151 in 2024, while defilement of minors has increased from 101 to 105 cases.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a serious issue, with 15 of this year’s murder cases linked to GBV.
Despite this, police noted a modest decline in overall GBV-related offenses, dropping from 331 cases in January 2024 to 317 in January 2025.
Officials say community outreach programmes are making a difference, leading to increased awareness and reporting of cases.
However, defilement cases remain troubling, with many linked to missing persons later found to have been harboured by adults for sexual exploitation.
Authorities stress that GBV affects people across all backgrounds—regardless of education, culture, or employment status—and are calling for a whole-of-society approach to tackle the crisis.
Plans are underway to establish One-Stop-Service Centres across the country to provide survivors with essential support, and in March, Botswana will host a high-level Crime Prevention Symposium, bringing together local and international experts to discuss solutions.
Meanwhile, police have ramped up efforts to combat crime with increased patrols, aerial surveillance, and expanded smart policing initiatives.
Molepolole village, identified as a high-risk area, has received additional resources, including a Superintendent-level Station Commander to handle the growing demand.
In a bid to improve law enforcement, the BPS has introduced a Human Rights Desk to ensure officers uphold regulations when making arrests.
Community outreach remains a priority, with educational campaigns running across schools, radio, TV, and farmer meetings to raise awareness about crime prevention.
The police are also strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), and private security firms, among others.
Plans are in motion for a National Crime Prevention Conference on March 19-20, where experts will develop new crime-fighting strategies.
Public complaints about poor police service delivery have not gone unnoticed, with the BPS now training over 1,000 officers to improve customer service and professionalism.
Authorities are also urging communities to play an active role in crime prevention, encouraging the public to report crimes anonymously via the toll-free number 999.
Special operations have been intensified, including Rapid Response Teams, aerial patrols, and anti-stock theft initiatives.
The BPS is also investing in technology-driven crime-fighting methods, such as automated fingerprint identification, DNA technology, and cyber forensics, to strengthen investigations.
Between January 1 and February 9, a disturbing 29 murders have already been recorded—three more than last year during the same period.
Reports of rape have slightly decreased, with 133 cases this year compared to 151 in 2024, while defilement of minors has increased from 101 to 105 cases.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a serious issue, with 15 of this year’s murder cases linked to GBV.
Despite this, police noted a modest decline in overall GBV-related offenses, dropping from 331 cases in January 2024 to 317 in January 2025.
Officials say community outreach programmes are making a difference, leading to increased awareness and reporting of cases.
However, defilement cases remain troubling, with many linked to missing persons later found to have been harboured by adults for sexual exploitation.
Authorities stress that GBV affects people across all backgrounds—regardless of education, culture, or employment status—and are calling for a whole-of-society approach to tackle the crisis.
Plans are underway to establish One-Stop-Service Centres across the country to provide survivors with essential support, and in March, Botswana will host a high-level Crime Prevention Symposium, bringing together local and international experts to discuss solutions.
Meanwhile, police have ramped up efforts to combat crime with increased patrols, aerial surveillance, and expanded smart policing initiatives.
Molepolole village, identified as a high-risk area, has received additional resources, including a Superintendent-level Station Commander to handle the growing demand.
In a bid to improve law enforcement, the BPS has introduced a Human Rights Desk to ensure officers uphold regulations when making arrests.
Community outreach remains a priority, with educational campaigns running across schools, radio, TV, and farmer meetings to raise awareness about crime prevention.
The police are also strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), and private security firms, among others.
Plans are in motion for a National Crime Prevention Conference on March 19-20, where experts will develop new crime-fighting strategies.
Public complaints about poor police service delivery have not gone unnoticed, with the BPS now training over 1,000 officers to improve customer service and professionalism.
Authorities are also urging communities to play an active role in crime prevention, encouraging the public to report crimes anonymously via the toll-free number 999.
Special operations have been intensified, including Rapid Response Teams, aerial patrols, and anti-stock theft initiatives.
The BPS is also investing in technology-driven crime-fighting methods, such as automated fingerprint identification, DNA technology, and cyber forensics, to strengthen investigations.
