28 Dec 2016

Kgosi Tshupegetso Bontsibokae of Matlapana has warned the public to refrain from indulging in activities that may put their lives in danger such as swimming in rivers.
He said in an interview recently that since the festive mood had heightened, some members of the public became more excited and indulged in activities that eventually brought negative results.
Kgosi Bontsibokae stated that they were already mourning victims of crocodile attacks that resulted on the death of a minor as well as injuring another person on two separate occasions this year alone.
He said the situation was worrisome and called for the public to be vigilant and act responsibly during the festive season.
His deputy, Kgosi Kebatho Kesekile said the river was capable of taking lives.
He said it was understandable that people went to the river for different purposes such as fishing and fetching water especially on these dire situations of water shortage.
He explained that in the past one could never travel to the river alone, noting that one would need a company so that when something happened, he/she could help or call for help from the community.
For his part, Maun police station commander, Superintendent Motlhaba Ramaabya said swimming in the river during the festive season and other public holidays was worrisome in his policing area.
 He also pointed out that they were fatalities associated with the river this year, adding that the situation was driven by various circumstances and these included carelessness on some instances.
He also stated that some people went to the river under the influence of alcohol.
“Alcohol does not mix with swimming at all because when one easily get tired when drunk, therefore alcohol can act as a death trap inside any water system,” he said.
Superintendent Ramaabya further said alcohol relaxed muscles and reduced brain alertness, therefore one could literally doze off and sleep inside water once they were drunk which could result in silent death.
He appealed to members of the public at large to exercise caution on their hard earned cash and property, noting that criminals were practically active on the ground this part of the year.
 He said people should not carry enormous amounts of cash with them as this could only attract more criminals on their way. He advised people to make use of other means of banking like electronic teller banking machines.
Superintendent Ramaabya also appealed to churches to pray for the Ngamiland district this festive season for safe holidays. ENDS