Government has announced plans to establish a Border Patrol Management Authority as part of efforts to strengthen security along Botswana’s approximately 4,450-kilometre international border.
The announcement was made in Parliament on Monday by the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa in response to a question from Okavango East Member of Parliament Gabatsholwe Disho, who raised concerns over the country’s long and porous borders and recurring cross-border crimes.
Disho cited incidents involving poaching, wildlife smuggling, cattle rustling, illegal mining, smuggling of goods and people, and murders, and questioned what measures were being taken in the absence of a fully functioning border patrol management authority.
In response, the Minister said the Government has deployed the Special Support Group (SSG) and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) at various base camps along the border. The personnel are mandated to secure the border and conduct patrols aimed at preventing cross-border crimes.
Mohwasa identified livestock rustling, smuggling of goods and illicit drugs, vehicle trafficking and poaching as some of the major cross-border crimes facing the country.
“These criminal activities pose significant threats to national security, economic development, and the livelihoods of our citizens,” he said.
He added that Government intends to strengthen border security through improved surveillance, increased patrols, enhanced inter-agency cooperation and closer collaboration with neighbouring countries.
Mohwasa revealed that the idea of establishing a Border Management Authority has been under consideration for some time but has not been implemented because of budgetary constraints.
In the meantime, border management is being handled through a multi-agency approach involving the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Botswana Police Service, Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), Botswana Defence Force and Mophato regimes.
Government is also encouraging communities across the country to establish Mophato regimes under the leadership of Dikgosi and in accordance with established guidelines.
Mohwasa said Government now plans to establish the Border Patrol Management Authority during the implementation of NDP12, with consultations and benchmarking exercises already underway.
As an interim measure, Government is also in the process of appointing a Deputy Director for Boundary Management, who will be responsible for promoting border management and security and ensuring that Botswana’s boundary lines remain intact.
The Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to cross-border crimes, particularly poaching, wildlife smuggling, cattle rustling, illegal mining, the smuggling of goods and human trafficking.
The proposed authority is expected to provide a more coordinated approach to managing Botswana’s extensive international borders, which remain vulnerable to a range of security and economic threats.
