Minister of Defence and Security, Mr. Kagiso Mmusi, addressed the 2024 senior management conference of the Botswana Prison Services in Francistown, expressing concern over the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) within Botswana's disciplined forces, including the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service, and Botswana Prison Service. Mmusi emphasized that disciplined forces, as enforcers of the law, should uphold it rather than violate it. He stressed that these forces must adhere to higher standards and set an example for the general public as representatives of the law. While commending the department for its efforts in combating GBV within the institution, Mmusi highlighted initiatives like the �GBV Perpetrators Voice� program aimed at educating and rehabilitating offenders. Additionally, he urged the prisons department to ensure timely payments to suppliers, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses and preventing negative impacts on vendors due to delayed payments. Mmusi challenged the senior management team to strive for excellence in their operations and service delivery to the public, emphasizing the need for effective rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for offenders. Furthermore, he committed to improving staff welfare and conditions of service for prison officers and encouraged innovative approaches aligned with the fourth industrial revolution. As a gesture of support, the Botswana Prison Service, represented by Mr. Mmusi, donated a photocopying machine, an air conditioner, and food hampers to the Francistown Centre for the Deaf, aiming to enhance their dignity and support the less privileged members of the community. In response, Ms. Dinah Marathe, the Commissioner of Prisons, highlighted the significance of reintegration and rehabilitation strategies across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. The donation was well-received by Ms. Boitshepo Munyadzwe-Mathumo, the school head of the Francistown Centre for the Deaf, who expressed gratitude and emphasized the importance of sign language communication. While noting academic challenges faced by students, she highlighted their achievements in extracurricular activities and called for partnerships with the prison department to impart valuable skills to the students.