BPS opens another child-friendly service centre

The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, Ms Neo Jane Masisi handed over a Porta Cabin worth over P300 000.00 to Botswana Police Service in Shakawe recently. The facility, which will be used as a Police Child-Friendly Service Centre at Shakawe Police Station is a donation from UNICEF through the Japanese Government.

Speaking at the ‘E Seng mo Ngwaneng’ Campaign re-launch prior to the handover ceremony, Ms Masisi said that high levels of child abuse remain a concern despite numerous attempts to address such. She said children need protection and called on the nation to introspect in order to stop the scourge. The First Lady appealed to parents to report cases of abuse so that the law could take its course.

She further thanked UNICEF and the Japanese Government for the commendable gesture, citing that the facility comes in handy by providing a conducive environment for children. Ms Masisi also added that the donation will also improve access to child friendly policing services.

For his part, the Ambassador of the Republic of Japan, His Excellency Mr Hoshiyama Takashi expressed gratitude for the good relations that exist between the Japanese Government, UNICEF and BPS. He said that the Japanese Government and UNICEF will continue to help other African countries
When receiving the donation, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Phemelo Ramakorwane, appreciated the benefactors for the valuable assistance, adding that the facility will be fully utilised to benefit the community of Shakawe and surrounding areas. He noted that the facility is one of the three donated by UNICEF and the Japanese Gorvenment, and will be placed in Shakawe, Letlhakane and Gantsi areas.

The Acting Commissioner of Police thanked UNICEF and the Japanese Government of goodwill, saying they are enjoying good cordial relations as they have in the past benefitted on various fields such as training in cybercrime investigations and telecommunications.

Mr Ramakorwane said that they are continuing to up-skill Police operatives who are deployed under the Gender and Child Protection Branch with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their duties competently.
He said that the Centre is the third completed after the establishment of Gaborone and Francistown Centres. The Acting Commissioner said that they intend to construct more Child-Friendly Service Centres across the country.