02 Apr 2025

The Ministry for State President is aware of vehicles that have long parked at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and does not consider disposing of these vehicles.

Answering a question in Parliament on behalf of the Minister for State President, the Minister for International Relations Dr Phenyo Butale said the vehicles were held with reasons that some were exhibits of cases reported to the police and the cases were at different stages of investigations while others were at various courts.

Dr Butale noted that some of the vehicles were intercepted in Botswana having been reported stolen from South Africa and currently Botswana Police Service was working with South Africa Police Service for identification and subsequent repatriation.

He said a total of 142 motor vehicles impounded at CID and these motor vehicles have been seized as exhibits by the investigations units of CID headquarters being the Serious Crime Squad, Narcotics, Fauna and Flora investigations among others. From the number, he said 42 motor vehicles had cases registered before courts, 23 have their cases referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for prosecution.

Also, he noted that a total of 20 vehicles were awaiting repatriation to South Africa, while 17 were awaiting identification by the owners from South Africa. He said owners were reluctant to come because insurance companies had already paid them, while others had to wait for their passports to cross over to identify their cars.

Dr Butale further said the ministry continuously disposed vehicles, which cases had been completed through other court orders in terms of the Motor Vehicle Theft Act. He said the process to auction 16 more vehicles, whose cases were completed at various courts, was underway.

Mmopane/Metsimotlhabe MP, Ms Hellen Manyeneng has asked the minister to state what the ministry was doing with all the old, long parked vehicles at CID. She also wanted to know if the minister does not consider disposing of these vehicles through public auction sale since the parking space was overcrowded. ENDS