20 Aug 2024

The construction of 28 police stations and staff housing in 27 villages across the country marks a significant milestone for the country’s police service. His Honour the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said on Tuesday during a simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony said the project was historic for the country.

“It is the largest increase ever in police stations, from 83 stations built progressively over a period of over 100 years, to a cumulative total of 111 stations in just a space of one year,” he said.

Also, he said it was the first time in history that infrastructure development of such magnitude took place simultaneously across the country.

He said 28 police stations were expected to enhance police capacity to fight crime and ensure continued public safety, peace and stability.

Mr Tsogwane said the project was envisioned in the Second Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) which runs from April 2023 to March 2025.

He said the project construction was done through a turn- key project, which highlighted the government’s resolve to use the Development Manager model to expedite the delivery of infrastructure development.

Mr Tsogwane also said the 28 police stations across the country would definitely enhance community outreach and translate into increased police visibility, improved crime prevention and detection as well as improved police response time.

He further said contemporary crimes posed a challenge to the police to find the need for innovative means of dealing with them, especially considering the rate at which crime was rapidly migrating from physical locations to digital platforms.

On other policing issues, Mr Tsogwane expressed concern and unhappiness over perpetration of gender-based violence offences, especially against minors.

He said the new police stations would go a long way to reduce the incidence of those crimes.

He said government had decided to discontinue engagement of special constables and would accord them an opportunity to be absorbed into the Police Service as regular police constables.

Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said in conceptualising the project, it was considered that despite budgetary limitations, there were unlimited possibilities to achieve policing visibility and effectiveness across the country.

He said the project entailed a Turn-Key procurement method, fully funded by developers, delivered within a period of 15 months, with a repayment period of 24 months.

He said the project provided for a complete outfit for an efficient police station, with a guard house, seven staff houses, information technology and radio communication, vehicles, solar powering system and fully furnished.

Police Commissioner, Ms Dinah Marathe said Botswana Police Service prioritised infrastructure development, due to its positive impact on service delivery and service effectiveness.

She said the project would go a long way in enhancing general service delivery, and added that it had been awarded in two packages at a total cost of P1. 665 billion.

“This is a turnkey project, through which the two engaged property developers will finance the construction of the facilities and be paid upon completion of the project”.

`The project, which has been awarded to two local companies, Homesafe Inspections and Unik Construction Engineering is expected to be completed in 15 months.

The police stations would be constructed in Sebina, Makaleng,Marapong, Dinokwane ward (Serowe), Mosolotshane, Suping, Magokotswane (Molepolole), Mogoditshane, Mmopane, Mmankgodi, Metlobo, Phitshane-Molopo, Digawana, Moshupa, Thamaga, Otse, Eretsha, Dobe, Lerala, Mookane, Mmadinare, Chobokwane, West Hanahai, Hukuntsi, Matsiloje, Boseja ward (Mochudi), Artesia and Khawa. ENDS