- Police appeal for safety this Easter Holidays
- Various Churches, police gather and pray for safe holidays
- As Maun is once again anticipated to get busy
- Gender-based violence related cases remain a concern
The Easter Holidays are upon us, and like many years before- this period presents a myriad of road traffic offences that are usually characterised with fatal crashes. Criminals usually take advantage of the many entertainment activities as well as houses left unattended when owners travel to different areas, including religious pilgrimages for Easter. With many on the roads travelling, there is an increase incidents of accidents due to reckless and careless driving, failure to obey roads signs and markings.
Police, around the country have remained consistent on their messaging to members of the public during the holidays – that ensuring safety at all times can save them from being victims of crime and road accidents. This they say, starts with ensuring their houses and business premises – and these holidays are no different.
Acting Officer Commanding for District No.5, Senior Superintendent Molefhe Molefhe has appealed to the public to be responsible and prioritise safety and security of everyone during these Easter Holidays and beyond.
The tourism capital: Maun, is once again anticipated to get busy these holidays with various festivities lined up for the long weekend. It is known that large crowds can increase the likelihood of criminal activity due to increased opportunities for crime hence the police appeal for safety.
Maun police in collaboration with local churches on Tuesday held a mass prayer to pray for safe and peaceful holidays. Held under the theme, “power of prayer-crime free Easter Holidays,” the event aimed at encouraging responsible behavior, reduced crime and also promotion of unity during the holidays.
The event formed part of the ongoing efforts to foster partnerships with the church community in the fight against crime. Pastors and Prophets from different churches came in masses in joint efforts with the Maun Police service to seek divine interventions against crime.
Senior Superintendent Molefhe pleaded for peaceful holidays and further urged the public to play a part in combating all illegal activities. He also urged the motorist to be vigilant and safe guard lives on the road.
Meanwhile, Maun Police Station Commander Superintendent Joseph Lepodise has expressed worry that gender-based violence remains a significant concern in the Maun policing area as related cases continue to increase in numbers from year to year.
Lepodise revealed that in 2023, there were nine murder cases, 17 in 2024, and so far since 2025 begun, there has already been five murder cases.
He added that 123 rape cases were registered in 2023, 98 in 2024 and this year 20 cases have already been registered. As for defilement, he said 30 cases were registered in 2023, 26 in 2024 and this year, the numbers already stand at 27.
“Threat to kill, there were 30 cases in 2023, 26 last year and this year since January to date there has been 18 cases registered.” Lepodise further revealed.
Furthermore, he gave statistics for assault common crime, stating that in 2024, there were 139 cases while this year so far, they have registered 233.
Lepodise stated that defilement is usually committed by close relatives of the victims and lamented that mothers often hide and not report such incidents. He however pleaded with the public to report all cases of defilement. He also added that couple disputes often lead to murder and suicide, adding that some partners withdraw cases to protect their lovers but later end getting killed.
