The Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Honourable Moeti Caesar Mohwasa, has conducted a joint inspection of the disused Dibete Police Station as Government assesses the condition and future of a facility that has remained closed for several years. Mohwasa was accompanied by the Acting Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Honourable Lethogonolo Barongwang, during the inspection on 24 August 2026. The visit focused on assessing the current status of the police station and providing an opportunity for the relevant authorities to examine the condition of the facility directly. The inspection comes after years of non-operation at the station, raising questions about its infrastructure and the requirements needed before it can safely serve its intended purpose again. The presence of senior officials from security and infrastructure portfolios highlights the importance of addressing facilities that support policing and public safety.
Dibete Police Station was officially opened in 2008, marking its establishment as part of Botswana’s policing infrastructure and the provision of law enforcement services to the surrounding community. However, the facility has not operated since 2017 after it was deemed unsafe for use. The extended period of closure means that the station has remained unavailable for police operations for almost a decade. A police facility that cannot operate safely can create challenges for officers and communities, particularly when local policing services depend on adequate buildings, equipment and working conditions. The inspection therefore provides an opportunity for Government officials to establish the current condition of the station and consider the infrastructure issues that have prevented its continued use.
The joint nature of the inspection is significant because the condition of public infrastructure often requires cooperation between different Government departments. The Ministry responsible for defence and security has an interest in ensuring that police personnel have safe and suitable facilities from which to carry out their duties. The transport and infrastructure portfolio, meanwhile, has responsibilities connected to public infrastructure and the technical considerations involved in maintaining or rehabilitating Government facilities. Bringing the two portfolios together allows officials to examine the security needs of the facility alongside the infrastructure requirements that could affect its future use. Such coordination can help Government develop a clearer understanding of the work that may be required before decisions are made about the station.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Support Services, Deputy Commissioner Stephen Tsheko, also attended the inspection. His participation brought operational and policing expertise to the assessment of the facility and its suitability for police use. Support services play an important role in ensuring that police personnel have the infrastructure and resources required to perform their responsibilities effectively. The involvement of a senior police official also allows the condition of the station to be considered from the perspective of those who would ultimately use the facility. A detailed assessment involving political leadership, infrastructure officials and police management can help ensure that future decisions take account of both technical and operational requirements.
The fact that Dibete Police Station was declared unsafe for use in 2017 makes the inspection particularly important. Public facilities require regular maintenance and appropriate repairs to remain safe and functional over time. When a facility is closed for an extended period, its condition can also change because of weather exposure, deterioration, lack of maintenance or other structural and operational factors. Any decision about reopening the station would therefore need to be based on a clear assessment of its current condition rather than its original state when it opened in 2008. The inspection provides an important starting point for understanding what may need to be repaired, upgraded or replaced.
Police stations form an important part of the infrastructure that supports public safety and access to law enforcement services. They provide operational bases for police officers while also serving as points where members of the public can report incidents, seek assistance and interact with law enforcement officials. When a station remains closed, policing operations may need to rely on other facilities or alternative arrangements to serve the surrounding area. This can place additional pressure on available resources and potentially affect the way services are delivered. Ensuring that police facilities are safe and functional is therefore an important part of maintaining effective public safety services.
The inspection also highlights the broader importance of maintaining Government infrastructure after facilities are constructed and opened. Building a public facility represents an initial investment, but its long-term value depends on proper maintenance, monitoring and timely intervention when problems arise. If infrastructure deteriorates to the point where it becomes unsafe, rehabilitation can become more complex and costly than routine maintenance would have been. Government assessments such as the Dibete inspection can help identify the condition of public assets and inform decisions about their future. Effective infrastructure management can help protect public investments while ensuring that facilities continue to serve communities as intended.
For the Dibete community, the condition and future of the police station are likely to remain important issues because access to local policing services is closely linked to community safety. A functioning police station can provide a more direct point of contact between residents and law enforcement authorities. It can also support police visibility and coordination in the area, depending on the operational structure and resources allocated to the facility. The inspection does not by itself confirm when or whether the station will reopen, but it demonstrates that its condition is being assessed at senior Government level. Any future decision will need to consider the safety of personnel and the public as well as the infrastructure and operational requirements of the station.
The joint inspection of Dibete Police Station reflects Government attention to the condition of public security infrastructure and the need to address facilities that are no longer suitable for use. Mohwasa, Barongwang and Deputy Commissioner Tsheko’s participation brought together political leadership, infrastructure oversight and police operational expertise. Since the station has remained non-operational since 2017 after being declared unsafe, assessing its present condition is an important step towards determining the most appropriate way forward. Whether the outcome involves rehabilitation, reconstruction or another solution, any decision will need to prioritise safety, functionality and effective service delivery. The inspection therefore represents an important assessment of a long-closed public facility and reinforces the need for continued investment in infrastructure that enables Botswana’s police service to serve communities effectively.
