Botswana has recorded thousands of missing persons cases over the last ten years, with the majority involving young people who eventually return home safely, Parliament heard this past week.
Responding to a question in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, revealed that between 2016 and 2025, the country registered 6,677 missing persons reports involving 6,765 individuals. Of these, 3,412 were male and 3,353 were female.
According to the Minister, joint efforts by the Botswana Police Service, communities, and public awareness campaigns resulted in the recovery of 6,330 individuals, while 426 remain unaccounted for. The Ministry explained that some unresolved cases may involve people who returned home or contacted relatives without notifying the police, leaving their cases officially open.
Parliament was told that most reported cases involve young people who leave home without informing guardians—often travelling for employment, visits, or social reasons. The country’s vast geography and high levels of internal migration were cited as major contributors to these reports. Despite public concern, the Ministry noted a declining trend, with reported incidents dropping from 735 in 2022 to 618 in 2025.
While no kidnapping cases were recorded during the period under review, Parliament was informed that 334 missing persons were later found dead. Of these, 178 died from natural causes, 97 by suicide, and 54 were victims of murder. Six victims were discovered with missing body parts; while such cases are often culturally associated with ritual killings, post-mortem examinations confirmed the injuries occurred after death. The Minister emphasised that Botswana law does not recognise “ritual killing” as a specific offence, as the Penal Code classifies such acts as murder.
The longest-standing missing person case in Botswana dates back to 2013, reported at Mabutsane Police Station. Overall, 6,330 of the 6,677 reported incidents have been resolved, reflecting what the government described as strong collaboration between police, communities, and families.
The government also confirmed that the Botswana Police Service has strengthened its response through specialised units. A Human Trafficking Unit was established in 2023, followed by a Missing Persons Unit in 2025, both based in Gaborone. These teams coordinate investigations nationwide and provide technical support to officers, while public education campaigns continue to raise awareness about crime prevention.
