Launching the Botswana National Action Plan on Firearms Management. 2nd August 2004, Gaberone Sun, Botswana

Foreword by the
Commissioner of Police
Mr Edwin J. Batshu
The Botswana Police Service is conscious of the fact that unregulated and
uncontrolled firearms contribute to heightened levels of social instability in the
form of conflict, violence, violent crimes and other social disorders in the country
as a whole. While Botswana is more fortunate than its neighbours with
respect to the illicit proliferation of firearms, there has over the last period been
an unacceptable increase in firearm related crime. Therefore, there is an
urgent need to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of
firearms, ammunition and; other related materials, and their excessive and
destabilizing accumulation, trafficking, possession and use, because of their
links with, among others, drug trafficking, terrorism, trans-national organized
crime and other violent criminal activities like armed robbery.
As such the Government of Botswana took the decision to proceed with the
development of a National Action Plan. This includes Law Enforcement
Workshops, Civil Society Workshops and a Population Opinion Survey which
have already been completed. The information collected from the workshops
and surveys has been collated and forms an integral part of the recommendations
contained in this National Action Plan.
The Botswana Police Service sees the National Action Plan as forming part of
Botswana’s Long Term Vision (Vision 2016), that challenges Botswana to
eliminate serious and violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms to
create a safe and secure environment which will enhance the safety of the
public and lead to investment and development.
Lastly, I would like to note the contribution made by SaferAfrica in the technical
and material assistance given that has contributed to the success of the
project so far. We look forward to the continuation of this partnership with
SaferAfrica.