…while murder cases decline
Statistics have revealed that both rape and defilement cases were on the rise this year in the North West District as compared to the previous year.
Addressing the ongoing full council meeting this week, North West District Council Chairman Itumeleng Kelebetseng revealed that there has been an increase in rape cases as a total of thirty-six (36) cases were reported as compared to twenty-eight (28) recorded in the previous period translating to 29% increase.
According to him, women and children continue to fall victims of rape. He indicated that the the district has since undertaken proactive measures by increasing public education targeting the youth.
“There is increased stakeholder engagement through referrals for counselling of rape victims and joint awareness campaigns,” he highlighted.
The chairman has also noted that defilement cases are also on the rise as they have increased from eight to eleven (11) which represents 38% increase.
“School awareness campaigns have been intensified to sensitise children on issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV). Maun Child Friendly Centre also provides a safe environment for victims to report and receive any form of assistance,” Kelebetseng noted.
Meanwhile, Kelebetseng further indicated that the district experienced a marginal decline in murder cases. He mentioned that a total of seven cases were recorded as compared to 10 recorded in the previous period constituting to 30% decrease. Kelebetseng highlighted that six cases were recorded in Maun whilst the remaining one was recorded at Sehithwa.
Kelebetseng also raised a concern that stealing of livestock still remains a challenge facing the district. “A total of 42 cases were recorded against 35 recorded in the period under comparison translating to 20% increase,” he revealed.
To curb the situation, the chairman indicated that anti-stock theft teams were deployed across the district to tackle stock theft issues However, Kelebetseng said that the district experiences challenges in attending to stock theft reports due to shortage of suitable motor vehicles to travel in bad terrains in most parts of the district.
On other crime related matters, Kelebetseng complained that illegal sand mining still remains a serious concern in the district as perpetrators continue to mine sand and gravel mostly along the rivers for the purpose of selling.
According to him, a total of seventeen (17) cases were recorded against fifteen (15) recorded in the previous period constituting to 13% increase.
“Dedicated task teams were deployed across the district targeting illegal miners. The Law Enforcement Committee in collaboration with stakeholders also conducted targeted operations in identified hotspots around Maun. This work reinforces our shared responsibility to protect the environment while upholding the rule of law.”
