Alcohol abuse played a significant role in many of the criminal activities reported during this past festive season in the Okavango region, superintendent Babinang Banohi of Shakawe Police. has revealed.
In an interview, Banohi said this has become a huge concern as it has led to serious crimes like murder. He emphasised that alcohol abuse is a major driver of violent and disorderly behavior during the festive season.
While they did not record many serious crimes this past festive season, their numbers increased when compared to the 2023 festive season. The month-long police operations that began on December 18th, 2024 ending on the 5th of January 2025 resulted in the arrest of suspects for offences ranging from violent crimes to drug-related activities.
Banohi said drinking alcohol in a prohibited area topped the list, with 17 arrests made as compared to only 1 in 2023. He said the suspects were detained for being intoxicated in public spaces and drinking in public.
He added that many of the crimes were committed by suspects armed with dangerous weapons such as knives and broken bottles. He indicated that the cases include assault common, unlawful wounding, grievous harm, and a murder case where a broken bottle was used.
Alcohol consumption was also cited as a major contributing factor in assault cases. He further revealed that they arrested 6 common assault suspects, 1 for unlawful wounding, one for grievous harm.
“With drug-related offences, only one suspect was arrested,” he revealed adding that they have also received one common theft case and four house break-ins. Furthermore, a case of arson and that of child neglect were registered.
Crimes targeting homes and businesses were also prevalent with the police arresting 264 suspects for residential burglaries while 197 were apprehended for robbery with aggravating circumstances, house and business robberies. As for stock theft only one suspect was arrested.
Meanwhile Banohi has said they will continue with their festive operations to address these immediate crimes and tackle the systemic issues of alcohol misuse and illegal liquor trading that fuel criminal activities.
