13 Jul 2014

The Chinese Embassy officials have applauded the Botswana Police Service for a professional policing service they provided to four Chinese tourists who were attacked by elephants in the Mashatu area.

Speaking at a function marked to honour the Botswana Police Service in Gaborone on July 11 the acting Chinese ambassador, Ms Liang Bizhen said the Botswana Police Service staff based in Bobonong displayed a true commitment of saving people’s lives.

Ms Bizhen said though they lost the life of one of their countrymen during the attack, they appreciated the job done by the police in saving the lives of the other four Chinese nationals who were with the deceased.

She said what impressed them was the quick response received from the police after they got the report despite the limited resources. They rushed to Mashatu, about two hours’ drive to go and help those whose lives were in danger.

The acting ambassador also appreciated the step taken by a Chinese national, Mr Wong Hong based in Bobonong who left his businesses and crossed the street to report to the police that his countrymen’s lives were in danger.

She called on other Chinese nationals in Botswana to befriend the people they were operating with so that they could get advice from them when they are in need of help.

For his part, the deputy commissioner of the Botswana Police Service, Mr Victor Paledi said their organisation was committed to guarantee the safety and security of all communities residing in Botswana despite the challenges and circumstances or dangers they encounter when delivering their mandate.

Mr Paledi said cognisant of the positive results that could be derived from community involvement in the prevention and the fight against crime, they have since around 1984 adopted community policing approach.

The deputy commissioner said the approach emphasises partnership with the community in solving local problems and said the Chinese community has been very resourceful in supporting their efforts in this regard, as they contributed P60 000  towards the construction of the Monarch Satellite Police Station in Francistown  and two laptops for Bobonong and Machaneng Police Stations.

He said he was impressed by the dedication and professional manner in which the Bobonong police handled the situation at Mashatu on the fateful day of May 4 this year.

Mr Paledi said the officers did not only respond quickly to the report but also competently handled the matter, sensitive as it was, though a life was lost during the process of rescuing the tourists, he said he was comforted by the selfless dedication displayed by the officers involved.

He urged the Chinese community residing in Botswana to avoid leaving their valuables such as laptops, mobile phones, bracelets among othesr in their cars at shopping malls as these valuables entice thieves to break into vehicles.

Mr Paledi also appealed to Chinese nationals to save their daily proceeds in the banks instead of keeping money in homes as that has also prompted thieves to attack them at their homes while looking for valuables.  ENDS