- Located in Maun to primarily serve Ngamiland, Chobe, and Ghanzi areas.
- To address public security challenges, ensuring a prompt, professional response to crime
- Wildlife crime, livestock rustling, missing persons and drownings among primary concerns
- To operate initially with one aircraft, plans to expand fleet -funds permitting
The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has officially established an Airborne Law Enforcement Unit in Maun, a strategic move aimed at addressing persistent public security challenges in the North West division. The new unit is expected to ensure a prompt, professional response to crime across the region’s difficult terrain.
Situated in Maun, the Airborne Law Enforcement Unit will primarily serve the greater Ngamiland, Chobe, and Ghanzi areas.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Police Commissioner, Dinah Marathe said due to the increasing demand for airborne law enforcement services in the area, a decision was taken in 2025, amid the prevailing economic challenges, to expand the function to Maun to cater for areas falling under the North West Division.
Commissioner Marathe highlighted wildlife poaching and livestock rustling as primary concerns, exacerbated by the region’s challenging geography and cross-border criminal activity. She also noted that the unit would address illegal migration, reports of missing persons in vast forests, and drowning incidents in major rivers.
She said that these identified challenges should be addressed for enhanced security and peaceful co-existence.
However, Marathe stated that the North West Police Division, which comprises Maun (No.5 District), Ghanzi (No. 6 District), Chobe (No. 7 District) and Shakawe (No. 17 District) has continued to experience declining crime. She revealed that to this end, offences relating to property which include break-ins, robbery, and stock theft, decreased from 1013 cases recorded in 2023 to 806 in 2025.
In his remarks, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa said that the launch of the Botswana Police Service Air Support Unit confirms commitment to strengthening national capacity to protect lives and property, safe guarding national borders, responding to emergencies and upholding law and order within communities.
Mohwasa noted that the Airborne law enforcement will provide rapid deployment of personnel to inaccessible areas, crime prevention through visible patrols, search and rescue operation, disaster management and effective border patrols.
He stated that by virtue of being a significant contributor to the national economy, the North West region deserves sustainable developments to support its unique tourism advantage and facilitate more sector and economic growth.
“As you are no doubt aware, the diverse terrain defining this particular region, as characterised by extensive water coverage, sand, thick vegetation and wildlife, requires suitable transportation that can withstand its unique traversing challenges, hence a decision to introduce Air transport for policing purposes,” he said.
Mohwasa highlighted the greater vision of government to deliver a progressive and resilient nation which prioritises community development and welfare. He noted that government envisage a Botswana in which citizens have equal opportunities for employment and self-development and feel motivated to contribute to national development.
He further noted that the government aims to leverage technology and innovation to diversify the economy and reduce over-reliance on diamond sales, which currently face market volatility.
Due to current resource constraints, the unit will begin operations with a single aircraft. Minister Mohwasa expressed hope that the fleet will be expanded as the economy continues to recover.
