A political and security controversy is unfolding in Botswana over the fate of the City Police Unit (CPU), a high-profile anti-crime initiative now at the center of allegations that authorities are quietly dismantling the operation.
The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has firmly rejected claims that the unit has been suspended, affirming that it remains fully operational in the country’s two largest cities amid growing speculation about its future.
The dispute arises as concerns grow over rising crime rates and uncertainty persists about whether the initiative will expand into other crime hotspots as originally planned.
The CPU was launched amid considerable public attention in December 2023 by former Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Kagiso Mmusi under the previous Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) administration. At that time, the unit was presented as a crucial response to increasing urban crime.
However, sources familiar with the matter say the government has quietly scaled back the initiative since the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) took office in 2024.
According to information obtained by Weekend Post, the specialized unit is reportedly facing severe resource shortages, with several of its dedicated vehicles out of service for extended periods.
Sources also claim that police authorities are shifting their focus toward the Safer City Project, which employs surveillance and road traffic cameras to combat crime and monitor motorists who violate traffic laws.
Originally, the CPU was slated for expansion into other high-crime areas, including Molepolole, Serowe, Kanye, and Maun.
Insiders say officials are now considering a gradual phase-out of the initiative, arguing that it has become too costly to maintain. The government has also struggled to acquire the specialized vehicles designed specifically for the unit.
Speaking to WeekendPost this week, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Near Bagali dismissed these allegations.
“That is not true at all. The CPU is alive and kicking,” Mr. Bagali said.
He noted that the unit has made significant progress in combating crime since its launch and continues to perform effectively, particularly in urban centers.
According to Mr. Bagali, the operation remains active in both Gaborone and Francistown and has received positive feedback from the public.
He acknowledged that plans to expand the unit into other high-crime areas had been delayed by financial pressures and broader economic challenges.
“However, this does not mean all hope is lost. Where possible, the unit will be expanded to other areas,” he said.
Mr. Bagali also emphasized that the Safer City initiative has become an important tool in fighting crime, noting that many incidents detected through surveillance cameras are responded to by CPU officers deployed on the ground.
The CPU operates under the police Special Support Group and consists of a specialized armed unit deployed around the clock in Gaborone and Francistown.
At its launch, officials described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to reduce crime, increase police visibility, and improve emergency response times in Botswana’s urban centers.
The unit was specifically tasked with tackling crimes such as robberies, vehicle theft, and burglaries.
A total of 100 police officers were assigned to the operation, supported by 25 vehicles dedicated to its activities. Authorities had also planned to procure additional specialized vehicles to enhance the unit’s effectiveness.