12 Sep 2024

A donation of 12 Toyota Hilux GD6 to Botswana Police Service (BPS) by Bankers Association of Botswana to augment fleet used to fight cash-in transit heists shows a commitment to protecting citizens as well as public and private assets.

Receiving the vehicles in Gaborone on Wednesday, Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said government intended to forge collaborations and partnerships with the private sector.

He said the ministry strengthened its coordination and collaboration with the private sector, particularly the banking sector.

 Mr Mmusi said, the ministry strengthened its oversight role on private security service companies while maintaining close collaborations with banks as critical stakeholders in the movement of cash.

The strong collaborative relationship proved to be highly beneficial when the banking industry was hit by a wave of organised crime in the form of cash-in transit heists and ATM bombings, said Mr Mmusi.

 He said the ministry’s response to the crisis was swift and decisive, true to the government’s commitment to protecting people and assets.

Minister Mmusi said they could not let criminals and gangs terrorise the finance and security sectors and ruin the economy hence he appreciated the efforts of security agencies in arresting the situation and bringing safety and security back into the financial services sector.

He said the police would continue to do anything in their power to protect the economy.

He said it was essential restore public confidence in the banking system and the ministry sensitised the banking industry and other stakeholders on the need to devise strategies to relief government of the financial burden of providing enhanced security for cash-in-transit.

 “Questions began to arise about the sustainability of such operations but I am very glad that due to the existing collaborative partnership, the response of the banking industry was overwhelmingly positive,” said Minister Mmusi.

He said the donation was a sequel to a cordial public private sector relation that had prevailed between the ministry and the banking industry, and a demonstration of a solid corporate social citizenship, anchored upon mutual trust and a clear commitment to espouse the strategic and policy ideals contained in the National Development Plan 11 and the Second Transitional National Development Plan.

BAB chairperson, Mr Mpho Masupe such initiatives were paramount in boosting business and investor confidence in Botswana as well as aiding government’s efforts towards a more sustainable and prosperous economy.

 Mr Masupe said they were building towards the same vision, and the donation was not the only time that the public and private sector collaborated, especially when dealing with urgent issues.

 Mr Masupe said the donated vehicles were all-terrain and well suited for the police to traverse the various road conditions across the country. ENDS