08 Aug 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama yesterday visited one of the police officers who is still admitted at Bokamoso Private Hospital after surviving a plane crash recently at the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve.

Detective constable Balashi Bango, who is stationed at Ghanzi Police Station, was among six police officers who were on patrol when their helicopter crash landed . 

The officers sustained varrying degrees of injuries and five of them have since been discharged.

Meanwhile, doctors attending the officer told President Khama that constable Bango, who suffered a broken left leg, was responding well to the treatment and would soon be discharged. 

Constable Bango told the President  who was accompanied by Botswana Police commissioner Mr Keabetswe Makgophe and air commander senior assistant commissioner Mr Arthur Johnson, that he was optimistic he would get well soon and be back to serving the nation.

The officer told his visitors that despite the experience , he would continue availing himself to serve the nation even if it meant   taking another ride on a chopper.   The officer was also appreciative of the support of his family members. 

For his part, Police Commissioner Makgophe thanked the President for checking on the injured officer. 

He said this was a morale boost on the part of the officer, noting that it was pleasing that none of the officers who was involved in the accident lost their life.

Mr Makgophe said he was happy that the poachers who were being followed at the time of the accident had been apprehended and appeared before Ghanzi Magistrate Court. He noted that the police would “relentlessly continue to safeguard the flora and fauna of the country.”

He thanked Batswana for their support and prayers “during these trying times.” 

Meanwhile the cause of the accident has not yet been established as investigations are ongoing. ENDS