Crime in Botswana

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has national responsibility for police operations, crime investigations and support services. Its Criminal Investigation Department investigates offences, while Cyber Forensics, Forensic Science Services and the Gender and Child Protection Branch handle specialised matters. The country has five police divisions, and recorded offences fell from 159,680 in 2023 to 146,529 in 2024. Penal Code offences accounted for 107,757 cases, or 73.5%, while other statutes excluding traffic offences accounted for 38,772 cases. Eleven selected serious crimes fell by 14.6% to 14,560 cases, and all police divisions recorded declines. South Central recorded 36.9% of reported offences, followed by North Central at 19.8% and North West at 9.6%. These figures describe reports received by police and cannot be treated as a complete measure of victimisation. Property offences remained the largest group. Stock theft accounted for 2,291 cases in 2024, a decline of 17.8%. The police recorded three human-trafficking cases involving four victims, compared with nine cases involving 50 victims in 2023, and 13 cases of smuggling of persons involving 37 victims, compared with none in 2023. Reported victims are predominantly women in the available targeted-victim data, while the recorded perpetrators in that dataset were predominantly men. Jealousy and arguments were common recorded motives in murder cases, and knives were the most frequent weapon in aggravated offences. Rape, threats to kill, murder and motor-vehicle theft were often reported at the victim's residence, while defilement was often associated with the perpetrator's home. A victim, witness or other person can report an incident at a police station, police post or to a nearby police officer. An emergency call can be made on 999. The report should state what happened, when and where it happened, and include known information about suspects, weapons and witnesses; documents are not required to make the initial report, and reporting is free. The BPS response standard is 16 minutes in urban areas and 60 minutes in other areas, although actual response depends on location and circumstances. A Police Incident Report for a victim or legal guardian can be requested at any police station using an Omang or passport within three working days; a portal listing gives a fee of BWP 21. Gender-based violence and child abuse are handled by the Gender and Child Protection Branch, which provides victim-friendly spaces, confidentiality and referral to health facilities. Botswana has eight Child Friendly Centres equipped with audio and video technology for child statements. The toll-free GBV line is 0800 600 144. A person facing immediate danger should call 999. A restraining order can be sought by an aggrieved party through a Magistrates Court without a fee, with an urgency certificate available for an urgent case. National coverage of shelters and compensation services is not established by the available evidence. Cybercrime includes forgery, fraud, unauthorised access, obscene material and abusive electronic conduct. In 2024, BPS recorded 320 cyber-threat incidents, 2,993 computer and network commercial-crime cases, 104 cyber-harassment cases, 104 cases of offensive electronic communication, 44 cyber-fraud cases, 24 cyberbullying cases, 23 cyber-stalking cases and seven cyber-extortion cases. Cyber extortion increased by 250% from the previous year, while computer and network commercial crime fell by 4.4%. Cyber Forensics can be contacted on +267 3914835. Preserve messages, account details, payment records and other digital evidence before deleting or altering them. Prevention combines police activity with community structures. By the end of 2024, Safer City operated 1,322 CCTV cameras in Gaborone and Francistown, with expansion reported for Tlokweng, Ramotswa and Mogoditshane. Botswana also had 892 Neighborhood Watch groups, 1,072 Cluster Policing structures, 229 Farmers Committee Forums, 66 Business Community Forums, four Security Committees, 11 Child Protection Committees and 169 Crime Prevention School clubs. Community and cluster policing involve dikgosi and local communities. BPS school and public-space work addresses risks such as theft, drug dealing and use, bullying, robbery, knives and gangs; findings from Maun in 2025 are local and should not be generalised nationally. Everyday precautions include securing entrances and vehicles, avoiding exposed valuables and seeking help early when threats emerge.