Scores of enthusiastic runners participated at the inaugural Commissioner’s Run this morning (15/03/2025) at the Diamond Dome in Gaborone.

 

The Run was a collaboration between Botswana Police Service (BPS) and Fearless Fitness Group to spread awareness pertaining to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Road Safety and Drug Abuse which are of national concern.

 

The Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Dinah Marathe said the event, which kicked off with a run, was not only to promote physical fitness but also to deliberate on issues prevalent in society. She added that being mentally and physically fit was key to building a healthy, responsive, and accountable society.

 

The Commissioner highlighted that the Run was chosen as a symbol of urgency and agility and to promptly address issues such as GBV and road safety.

 

Commissioner Marathe acknowledged the co-organiser, Fearless Fitness Group and other stakeholders as well as the multitudes who turned up for the event saying it showed their commitment towards the importance of Police Community collaborations in the fight against crime.

 

She profoundly thanked the community for playing a significant role in both preventing and responding to crime in the country in issues relating to GBV and child-related offences.

She stated that the overwhelming support contributed immensely towards the Botswana Police Service (BPS) achieving its mission of providing a professional policing service in partnership with the community.

 

She said this has been witnessed by all sectors, who took part in today's activity by sharing information on different services that they provide. If put to good use, these services are paramount in preventing social ills. The Commissioner implored the participants to share the messages with their families and colleagues to invite others to join the fight against issues that affect the community.

 

The Commissioner assured the public that BPS was committed to ensure that crime levels are reduced and that all victims are safe and their dignity restored.

 

Meanwhile, the Commissioner lamented the continuous increase in road traffic accidents that continue to cause serious injuries and claim lives of many due to disregard to road traffic rules, speeding and drinking and driving.

 

She also showed a concern towards drug abuse which mostly affects the youthful society of the country. She encouraged all to stand up against societal ills that affected many lives of Batswana.

 

She promised that the event that started in Gaborone will be rolled out to other areas to continue spreading the message.

Giving his vote of thanks, the Director of Men and Boys for Gender Equality Mr Desmond Lunga emphasised the need for all to rally behind BPS in its endeavour to fight GBV, road safety and drug abuse which has proved to be a national concern. Mr Lunga encouraged all to be key players in the fight against GBV, the scourge which has befallen the country.

He thanked the Police Commissioner for leading the Run, which he said showed her commitment towards achieving a crime-free Botswana.

 

The event which was categorised into three distances of 5,10 and 21 kilometers, was held under the theme: "Reimagining a GBV-free and Accident-Free Botswana: It is possible. It starts with me. I am part of the Solution."