The Okavango District recorded a largely peaceful festive season, with crime levels dropping compared to previous years, according to the Officer Commanding No.17 District, Senior Superintendent Peggy Vakalisa.
Senior Superintendent Vakalisa said police operations and public cooperation contributed significantly to maintaining law and order during the busy holiday period. She explained that officers were deployed across the district to monitor crime hotspots, regulate traffic and ensure the safety of both residents and visitors.
While criminal activities decreased, Vakalisa noted an increase in traffic violations, which she attributed to high volumes of vehicles and increased movement during the festive season. She said police conducted roadblocks and patrols to curb reckless driving and encourage motorists to obey traffic laws.
She applauded members of the public for working closely with the police, adding that information sharing and community support played a major role in preventing crime. “The cooperation we received from the community helped us respond swiftly and effectively to potential incidents,” she said.
Earlier, Shakawe Station Commander Superintendent Alec Keikwaletse had revealed that police held kgotla meetings across the Shakawe policing area ahead of the festive season. The meetings focused on educating residents on crime prevention, personal safety and protecting property during the holidays.
Superintendent Keikwaletse said the awareness campaigns targeted common crimes that usually increase during festive periods, such as theft, assault and road traffic offences. However the initiative appeared to have borne fruit, as fewer criminal cases and road accidents were recorded during the holidays.
Despite the overall calm, Senior Superintendent Vakalisa said police recorded a few isolated incidents that disturbed the festive peace. One tragic incident involved a 25-year-old woman who was reportedly snatched by a crocodile while taking pictures with her boyfriend along a river bank.
She also mentioned a bus accident that occurred between Nxamasere and Xhaoga along the Gaborone–Shakawe route. The bus overturned while travelling to Shakawe, but no serious injuries were reported, a situation she described as fortunate.
Vakalisa said people celebrated the festive season in different parts of Okavango without major disturbances. She urged residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution around water bodies, particularly during the rainy season when river levels are high.
She further advised the public to continue celebrating responsibly, warning that overexcitement during festive periods often leads to accidents, injuries and loss of life. Police, she said, will continue working with communities to ensure safety beyond the festive season.
