Botswana Khweedom Council, an organization that advocates for Basarwa rights in the country has engaged Botswana Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe on what it deems as perpetual victimization and brutality from police officers.
This comes on the backdrop of a recent case where Baleki Kelentse, a middle aged man from the San community who lives in Dukwi village was allegedly beaten and injured by the police during investigations linking him to stock theft. According to a letter dated 17 August 2026 written to the Botswana Police Commissioner, Botswana Khweedom Council is demanding an independent, impartial and transparent investigation concerning the incident. The Council is also demanding the Police Commissioner to make findings on the circumstances that resulted in the injuries that were sustained by the victim.
‘Identify the police officers involved and determine whether their conduct complied with the Constitution, the law and Botswana Police Service procedures,’ reads the letter.
Among others, the Council is also demanding the Police Commissioner to take appropriate disciplinary action if wrong doing, excessive force or abuse of authority is abused and ensure that the victim and witnesses are protected.
The Council stated that as much as it recognizes the responsibility of the Botswana Police Service, it believes that everyone who is under investigations should be treated with dignity, respect and protection.
Speaking to the Sunday Standard in an interview last week Thursday, Botswana Khweedom Council Spokesperson Banyatsi Salutu said that they received a report from Kelentse last week who indicated that he had slaughtered his own cow after it had been injured by wild animals. He sold part of the meat in Nata village where his cattle-post is based and carried the remainder to his homestead in Dukwi.
‘Apparently the police went to his homestead in Dukwi, where they broke into his house and found part of the animal carcass. The man indicated that he had bought the cow in Zoroga village and had all the right documents to prove its ownership. The police seized the meat from his homestead and followed him to Zoroga village where he was at the time. They beat him in the course of their interrogations as they accused him of stock-theft. This is despite the fact that he produced proof of ownership,’ said Salutu.
Salutu said that the manner in which the police handled the victim is a sign of brutality and disregard for human rights hence they had to engage the Police Commissioner. He said this is not the first time that the law enforcement authorities harass members of the San Community adding that they are often exposed to victimization and human rights violations. He reiterated that being investigated for an alleged offence should never be regarded as justification for brutality, excessive use of force, intimidation or degrading treatment. As the Botswana government is currently embarking on improving the development, recognition, participation and protection of the San, Botswana Khweedom Council is of the view that these kind of incidents could impede the whole efforts. The San are the indigenous people of Botswana and have been marginalized over the years.
‘The consultations conducted across Botswana by the Inter-Ministerial Committee have created an important opportunity for government and indigenous people to work together towards addressing longstanding concerns,’ said Salutu
‘ We are however concerned that the alleged conduct of some government officials and law enforcement authorities may undermine this cooperation and the progress being made. We are however optimistic that this issue will be resolved as we managed to talk to the Deputy Police Commissioner through a telephone last week and he assured us they they will look into the matter and come back to us,’ he added.