Molepolole, Serowe, Francistown emerge as violence hotspots
Molepolole, Serowe and Francistown have emerged as the districts with the highest recorded cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Botswana, with population density being a key contributing factor.
According to the Botswana Police Service (BPS), these areas saw the most GBV incidents during the 2024 festive season, exacerbated by social challenges like economic hardship and alcohol abuse.
During the 2024 festive season, 175 GBV cases were reported in these areas, with the BPS attributing high violence rates to poor conflict resolution skills and a lack of respect for individual rights.
“The issue of GBV is urgent, and we must work collectively to address it,” BPS Commissioner Dinah Marathe said, noting further that 40 percent of cases involved murder, often occurring during alcohol-fuelled disputes.
While a majority of victims were women, the severity of incidents has escalated, with an increase in brutal assaults and murders.
Tragically, eight women were murdered by their partners, and two children were killed—one by a stepfather and the other by a nanny.
The BPS emphasised that the high population densities in Molepolole (District No. 11), Serowe (District No. 2), and Francistown (District No. 1) fuel social tensions and increase the likelihood of violence.
Other contributing factors include economic challenges, alcohol abuse, and insufficient conflict resolution mechanisms.
To tackle the rise in GBV cases, the BPS has emphasised the need for grassroots interventions in high-risk areas. Key initiatives suggested by the police include youth engagement, with Marathe emphasising the need to educate young people about healthy relationships and how to resolve conflicts peacefully. She also suggested the empowerment of women and girls through tunning awareness campaigns to help them protect themselves and seek help when necessary.
In addition, the police Commissioner called for the involvement of community leaders. “Our local leaders play a critical role in promoting peaceful conflict resolution within families and communities,” Marathe added.
A success story of community-driven efforts can be seen in Bobirwa’s “Mephato” strategy, which addresses stock theft through community policing and involvement. To better support victims of GBV, the BPS has introduced several measures including child-friendly police stations that provide safe spaces for children affected by GBV.
In addition, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are expected to ease the challenge. These guidelines ensure that cases involving children and GBV victims are handled with care. Online tools and helplines have been helpful too, with the toll-free helpline 0800 600 144 having been in operation since 2020, with plans for the introduction of mobile Apps for anonymous reporting. Lastly, One-stop
centres offer medical, psychosocial, and legal support for GBV victims.
During the 2024 festive season, the BPS partnered with the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) to carry out Operation Pabalesego, which aimed to enhance public safety. The operation ran from December 19 to January 5 and resulted in a 9.8 percent reduction in crimes compared to 2023, with cases dropping from 735 to 663. Road accidents also decreased with fatalities falling from 45 to 29.
However, the operation revealed concerning trends; missing persons reports doubled, with 26 cases filed, and 18 individuals remain unaccounted for, including ten young women aged 16 to 24. Commissioner Marathe called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the underlying causes of GBV and other forms of violence.
“We need to expand community outreach programmes in high-density areas to promote conflict resolution and awareness,” she said.
Other key strategies include increasing police visibility during holidays to reduce crimes like theft and motor vehicle break-ins, and strengthening partnerships with local organisations to combat GBV and child abuse.
The BPS is also working on improving customer care by training officers and implementing performance monitoring systems to ensure better service delivery to the public.
“The fight against GBV requires the involvement of everyone in society, including government officials, community leaders, and individuals,” Marathe said.
“We all have a role to play in creating a Botswana where everyone feels safe and valued.”
While there has been a slight decrease in the overall number of GBV-related offences, the increasing brutality of murders and assaults is deeply concerning.
Moreover, the rise in the number of children victims of GBV, particularly at the hands of their caregivers, calls for urgent intervention.
“Understanding and addressing the root causes of violence is critical to developing effective prevention strategies,” Commissioner Marathe emphasised.
The focus on community engagement and multi-sectoral collaboration will be crucial in reducing GBV and creating a safer environment for all citizens of Botswana.
According to the Botswana Police Service (BPS), these areas saw the most GBV incidents during the 2024 festive season, exacerbated by social challenges like economic hardship and alcohol abuse.
During the 2024 festive season, 175 GBV cases were reported in these areas, with the BPS attributing high violence rates to poor conflict resolution skills and a lack of respect for individual rights.
“The issue of GBV is urgent, and we must work collectively to address it,” BPS Commissioner Dinah Marathe said, noting further that 40 percent of cases involved murder, often occurring during alcohol-fuelled disputes.
While a majority of victims were women, the severity of incidents has escalated, with an increase in brutal assaults and murders.
Tragically, eight women were murdered by their partners, and two children were killed—one by a stepfather and the other by a nanny.
The BPS emphasised that the high population densities in Molepolole (District No. 11), Serowe (District No. 2), and Francistown (District No. 1) fuel social tensions and increase the likelihood of violence.
Other contributing factors include economic challenges, alcohol abuse, and insufficient conflict resolution mechanisms.
To tackle the rise in GBV cases, the BPS has emphasised the need for grassroots interventions in high-risk areas. Key initiatives suggested by the police include youth engagement, with Marathe emphasising the need to educate young people about healthy relationships and how to resolve conflicts peacefully. She also suggested the empowerment of women and girls through tunning awareness campaigns to help them protect themselves and seek help when necessary.
In addition, the police Commissioner called for the involvement of community leaders. “Our local leaders play a critical role in promoting peaceful conflict resolution within families and communities,” Marathe added.
A success story of community-driven efforts can be seen in Bobirwa’s “Mephato” strategy, which addresses stock theft through community policing and involvement. To better support victims of GBV, the BPS has introduced several measures including child-friendly police stations that provide safe spaces for children affected by GBV.
In addition, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are expected to ease the challenge. These guidelines ensure that cases involving children and GBV victims are handled with care. Online tools and helplines have been helpful too, with the toll-free helpline 0800 600 144 having been in operation since 2020, with plans for the introduction of mobile Apps for anonymous reporting. Lastly, One-stop
centres offer medical, psychosocial, and legal support for GBV victims.
During the 2024 festive season, the BPS partnered with the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) to carry out Operation Pabalesego, which aimed to enhance public safety. The operation ran from December 19 to January 5 and resulted in a 9.8 percent reduction in crimes compared to 2023, with cases dropping from 735 to 663. Road accidents also decreased with fatalities falling from 45 to 29.
However, the operation revealed concerning trends; missing persons reports doubled, with 26 cases filed, and 18 individuals remain unaccounted for, including ten young women aged 16 to 24. Commissioner Marathe called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the underlying causes of GBV and other forms of violence.
“We need to expand community outreach programmes in high-density areas to promote conflict resolution and awareness,” she said.
Other key strategies include increasing police visibility during holidays to reduce crimes like theft and motor vehicle break-ins, and strengthening partnerships with local organisations to combat GBV and child abuse.
The BPS is also working on improving customer care by training officers and implementing performance monitoring systems to ensure better service delivery to the public.
“The fight against GBV requires the involvement of everyone in society, including government officials, community leaders, and individuals,” Marathe said.
“We all have a role to play in creating a Botswana where everyone feels safe and valued.”
While there has been a slight decrease in the overall number of GBV-related offences, the increasing brutality of murders and assaults is deeply concerning.
Moreover, the rise in the number of children victims of GBV, particularly at the hands of their caregivers, calls for urgent intervention.
“Understanding and addressing the root causes of violence is critical to developing effective prevention strategies,” Commissioner Marathe emphasised.
The focus on community engagement and multi-sectoral collaboration will be crucial in reducing GBV and creating a safer environment for all citizens of Botswana.
