-   G-West most targeted for house break-in and burglary
-   Old Naledi residents protect their own, terrorise neighbouring areas

Crime in Gaborone Botswana

Those who call Mogoditshane, Mogadishu, the capital city of war torn Somalia are perhaps onto something.

Gaborone police crime statistics of various offences committed from January to June this year in Gaborone and surrounding areas have indicated that Mogoditshane tops the list in all crime categories.

Mogoditshane residents, statistics has shown are notorious for attacking each other as evidenced by 616 cases of common assault which were recorded between January and June compared to only 141 which were recorded in Old Naledi, commonly known as Zola which many perceive to be one of the most dangerous places in Gaborone.

In fact contrary to this negative perception of Zola, within the same period Old Naledi recorded the least number of common assault cases in the capital city. Occupying the second spot in common assault cases was Broadhurst with 417 cases followed by G-West which recorded 409 cases. Tlokweng came in at fourth place with 270 recorded cases.

Mogoditshane is also in a league of its own when it comes to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (AOABH) as it has a record high of 208 cases, followed by Broadhurst with 146, Tlokweng with 139 then G –West and Old Naledi with 88 and 75 respectively.

G-West which includes Blocks 5, 6, 7, 9, Kgale View and Phase Two leads in house break-in with 249 cases.

Police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube said G- West was hard hit by house break-in because it is home to most middle and upper class members of the Gaborone society.

“Most residents in these areas spend the day at work and these are people with properties which are easily targeted by thieves hence the high number of house break-in,’’ Motube explained.

It turns out however that although Old Naledi seems to be the least affected by crime most of the stolen goods from other areas, especially from G-West are found in Old Naledi which boasts a low number of 30 housebreak-in cases this year.

Motube further said that Old Naledi might have lower crime figures but it was still one of the most dangerous and difficult areas to police as it harbours many criminals who terrorise other areas and not their own neighbourhood.

Explaining why crime was high in Mogoditshane, the top cop said that some of the contributing factors included high population and the fact that the area is a hub of entertainment. Mogoditshane which encompasses small villages like Mmopane, Gabane, Kopong, Tsolamosese and Metsimotlhabe is home to most rapists as 70 rape cases were recorded during the period under review compared to an average of 20 cases in other areas.

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