The Right Honourable, the Prime Minister Sam Matekane pledged to increase the number of police officers by 500 as he seeks to strengthen community policing and support law enforcement agencies faced with escalated crime and drug-related challenges.
He made the pledge during his visit to Community policing groups operating under the Mabote Police Station jurisdiction clarifying that the purpose of his visit was the spirit revival of community policing, strength and encouragement for their concerted efforts to combat crime in their communities.
He said he had learnt that the Mabote policing area was particularly extensive because of the number of communities it serves, placing additional demands on the police.
The Prime Minister Matekane said government had previously allocated vehicles to the police, with the Mabote Police Station also receiving vehicles, although he acknowledged that the resources appeared not to be sufficient for the station’s needs.
He said government would continue working to increase resources so that police could carry out their duties more effectively.
The Prime Minister questioned how the country would adequately respond to the growing problem of drug abuse if communities continued to face shortage of police officers, stressing the need to strengthen law enforcement capacity.
He said the increase in police personnel would help government respond more effectively to crime and emerging challenges affecting communities.
The Prime Minister also said he expected improvements in roads serving the communities, including the installation of paving and rehabilitation of roads to make movement easier for residents.
He said better roads would improve access and mobility while also reducing the need for people to rely on other forms of employment linked to poor infrastructure.
He also called on ‘Mahokela’ groups that have not yet registered to do so, saying registration would enable authorities to identify and formally recognize the community structures operating in different areas.
He further challenged owners of drinking establishments to comply with legally prescribed closing times, warning that criminal activities often take place under the cover of darkness.
The Prime Minister urged communities and law enforcement agencies to work together in prevention of crime as community participation remained important in keeping neighborhoods safe.
Commissioner of Police Advocate Borotho Matsoso supported the call for closer cooperation between the police and Mahokela, saying community watch groups were strategically positioned to assist law enforcement because they operate directly within communities.
Advovate Matsoso said community policing groups could help police obtain information from residents and assist in dealing with crime, including drug-related offences and the circulation of illegal firearms.
He urged police officers to spend more time patrolling residential communities rather than concentrating their visibility along major roads, saying communities should see police officers moving among them before crimes occur.
The pressure facing the police was also highlighted by Mabote Police Station Commander Superintendent Matseletsele, who said the station has only 55 police officers serving a rapidly expanding policing area covering parts of Maseru and Berea.
He said the shortage of personnel places considerable pressure on the available officers, with one officer at times serving an estimated 3,000 people.
Superintendent Matseletsele also raised concerns about nightclubs operating throughout the night, saying patrons sometimes move from bars after their legally prescribed closing time to establishments that continue operating, creating additional policing challenges.
During the visit, Prime Minister Matekane donated 28 walkie talkies together with 300 blankets to community policing groups as well as food supplies comprising 300 bags of maize, wheat, flour and beans.
The food assistance is expected to benefit about 600 households in the Mabote area.
The visit brought together government, police and community representatives to discuss challenges affecting crime prevention and community safety measures.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
