Villages fight over Police station name

A brand-new police station meant to improve policing has instead become the centre of a bitter tug-of-war, with neighbouring villages, Lorwana and Digawana locked in a heated fight over the naming of the facility, with each suggesting their village name.The station built to serve residents from both villages and the surrounding areas, is complete and awaiting commissioning. However, the unresolved naming dispute has delayed what many hoped would be a proud milestone for the communities.However, a committee comprising of Lorwana elders maintains that the matter is straightforward, arguing that the station should carry the name of the village in which it stands, in line with the practice followed for police stations across Botswana.Speaking to The Midweek Sun, Committee Chairperson, Alfred Molokwane said that there is no disagreement over the physical location of the police station."The station plot falls within Lorwana Village boundaries according to official land board maps, survey records and mapping documents. This is a matter of official records, not opinion or preference," he said.He said the land allocation records, physical address, access roads and construction documents all identify Lorwana as the location where the development was approved and built. Molokwane explained that the country has consistently followed one approach when naming police stations, with facilities taking the names of the villages where they are constructed."The naming process has already been completed for the other 27 police stations built across the country. This is the only station where there is a proposal to give it the name of a neighbouring village instead of the village where it is located," he said.According to the elders committee, tensions between the two villages escalated following a meeting held at Digawana Kgotla on March 11, 2026. During that meeting, it was reportedly announced that a community consultation had endorsed the name Digawana Police Station and that no objections had been raised by stakeholders who attended.However, Lorwana leaders dispute that account.Molokwane said his committee has repeatedly requested proof that such a consultation took place and that all affected communities were properly consulted before the announcement was made. "It is now up to the Digawana Customary Court to provide records showing that such a consultation was held and to explain which procedures and guidelines were followed in arriving at that decision," he said. He further said that the committee believes the decision was made without involving all interested parties, leaving many residents feeling excluded from a process that affects both villages. The disagreement has strained relations between communities that have traditionally shared services and lived peacefully alongside one another. Residents who had looked forward to the opening of the police station now find themselves debating its official name rather than the benefits it will bring to the area. Seeking answers, Lorwana elders committee has approached Botswana Police Headquarters, No. 4 District Headquarters, Southern Division Headquarters, Lobatse police station, Goodhope District Council Secretary and the Goodhope District Commissioner's Office. Molokwane said several consultative meetings have been held with government officials in an attempt to resolve the matter, but those discussions have not produced a solution. The issue has since been referred to the Ministry for State President, Defence and Security for further consideration.According to Molokwane, the tribunal ruled on September 25, 2025, directing the Ngwaketse Land Board to stop identifying areas within Lorwana as part of Digawana. The case reportedly involved the naming of a hardware business situated opposite the newly built police station. Molokwane said that the ruling recognised the boundaries of Lorwana and should be taken into account when authorities make a final decision on the police station's name.Despite the disagreement, Lorwana elders committee insists it has no objection to residents of Digawana using the police station."Our concern is not about who will receive police services. The station was built to serve all residents within the catchment area. We simply want government to follow its own established procedures when naming the facility," he explained.

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Villages fight over Police station name