11 Feb 2016

Mogoditshane Police Traffic Station Officer, Assistant Superintendent Itumeleng Maruru says five passengers including a driver of a Mmopane/Gaborone passenger minibus that over-turned into a trench on Monday February 8 are still hospitalised.

Assistant Superintendent Maruru said this incident which happened near Trekkers Night Club parallel to SSKB camp on the northern side, at around 0620 am, was carrying 15 passengers who were all heading to work in Gaborone direction.

He however said scanty information suggest that some passengers became suspicious of the driver as he sat motionless and did not respond to their prodding until the combi veered off the road and tumbled into the deep trench along the roadside. 

He confirmed that three passengers are hospitalised at Gaborone Private Hospital while the driver and a passenger are hospitalised at Bokamoso Private Hospital. The victims who are two women and three men, he said, sustained various serious injuries. 

He said up to now police still do not have detailed information which led to the accident but they hope to interview the driver upon recuperating. In the meantime other passengers were treated and discharged the same day and some have already recorded statements.

Meanwhile Assistant Superintendent Maruru cautioned public transport passenger drivers to drive with due care and always endeavour to observe traffic signs. In addition he said they should exercise care especially during peak hours when traffic mobility is high. 

He further said public transport drivers should also remember that the lives of their passengers are squarely on their hands. On the same breadth he advised public transport owners to always ensure that they employ drivers of good character and repute to avoid unnecessary road mishap which may result in the loss of lives. Ends