Gaborone, Botswana — His Excellency Mr. Tomas Ulicny, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Botswana, paid a courtesy call today, 5 June 2025, on the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Mantswe, at the Botswana Police Headquarters. The visit aimed to explore opportunities for cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Botswana Police Service (BPS), particularly in the areas of cybercrime, police training, and traffic law enforcement.
In his welcome remarks, Acting Commissioner Mantswe described the engagement as a valuable step toward strengthening bilateral law enforcement ties. He reiterated Botswana’s unwavering commitment to international peace and security through active participation in global organisations such as the United Nations and INTERPOL.
“Despite prevailing economic constraints, Botswana remains one of the safest and most progressive countries in the region,” said Mr. Mantswe. “Our secure environment continues to attract both tourists and investors, but we recognise the need to evolve in response to emerging global threats.”
Among the key areas raised was the growing challenge of cybercrime. Mr. Mantswe highlighted the establishment of the BPS Cyber Forensics Branch, noting the urgent need for international partnerships to build technical expertise and boost capacity. He called for collaboration in secure communication systems, intelligence sharing, and enhancing traffic law enforcement measures.
The Acting Commissioner also appealed for support in expanding the Safer City surveillance programme. Current coverage is limited due to funding constraints, he said, and partnerships with experienced countries like the Czech Republic could significantly improve urban safety infrastructure.
His Excellency Mr. Ulicny commended the BPS for its professionalism and commitment to public safety. He expressed the Czech Republic’s keen interest in supporting Botswana’s crime prevention efforts, particularly in areas like digital forensics, cybercrime investigations, and the establishment of secure communication platforms.
“The threats in the global digital space are growing rapidly,” Mr. Ulicny noted. “Cybersecurity must become a shared priority, and we are eager to cooperate with Botswana to develop robust digital protection mechanisms.”
The Ambassador also pledged capacity-building assistance through the Czech Republic’s experienced police training units. This includes areas such as defensive tactics, firearms training, tactical first aid, and the breeding and training of police dogs (K9 units).
On traffic enforcement, Mr. Ulicny shared insights from the Czech Republic’s successful traffic regulation systems, particularly those targeting speeding and overweight vehicles. He noted that the Czech Republic, like Botswana, handles significant volumes of transit traffic, and its integrated approach—combining enforcement, data management, and inter-agency coordination—has proven effective.
“Road safety is not just about equipment. It’s about building strong laws and ensuring consistent enforcement,” he said. “Our experience shows that technology alone is not enough; the right policy and institutional frameworks are essential.”
The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. David Vaverka, Head of the Economic and Commercial Section at the Czech Embassy, who oversees relations with South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia.
Today’s meeting laid a strong foundation for strategic cooperation between Botswana and the Czech Republic. With crime evolving in complexity, the collaboration promises to enhance Botswana’s policing capabilities and contribute to the creation of safer, more secure communities.
