04 Apr 2017

No causalities were reported around Kweneng except for minor cracks on some buildings and destroyed goods in supermarkets following an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale which was felt in most parts of the country.

According to the Kweneng disaster management committee no severe cases have been reported and they were awaiting feedback from contact persons in villages on the effects and assistance that might be needed.

“It is early to make any determination of damages and our people have not reported any adverse activity following last night quake and once we have all the information we will act accordingly especially for Sojwe and Lephepe areas which are closer to the epicenter of the quake,” Molepolole Administrative Authority official Ms Nametso Tatedi has said.

The earthquake whose epicenter was located few kilometres west of Moiyabana area sent ripples across most parts of the country and the neighbouring South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Molepolole residents and those from other villages were left shocked by the tremors that lasted for about 45 seconds describing them as the strongest they have ever experienced. However they were fortunate that the quake did not cause any harm or damages to their properties.

Ms Moroba Thaga said she was still watching evening news on the television but she was shocked by the strong movements she felt which caused the house, windows and door panels to vibrate with rattling sounds.

“The whole house was trembling; plates were dancing in the cupboards. As I ran out of the house to seek help I could hear people screaming while some tried calling their relatives,” she said. ENDS

Mr Kemoitse Phofedi also described the earthquake as the most terrifying. However he said he was able to appreciate what was happening and was to quickly respond because as former mine worker he has experienced such when in line of duty.

Mr Mothusi Kemang who is a security guard at Choppies Superstore said he was shocked by the strong tremors. He said customers were waiting in line to pay for their goods but ended up running in different directions panicking.

In Letlhakeng, the Choppies store manager Mr Kebonyeng Ntshupetsang said he was not yet in a position to determine the amount of damage caused to their goods but reported a significant impact as most of the items fell from the shelves.

Though earthquakes are not common in Botswana, in 2014 around May and August two seismic waves or some minor underground conversion were recorded and shock waves were felt around Gaborone and other southern areas following a 5.5 quake on the Richter scale which happened around Orkney mining area in South Africa.

Records indicate that earth quakes are common in mining belt or are triggered sometimes by mining activities .

Earth quakes mostly however are caused by activate slip by natural on faults lines where and seismic events are sent outwards from epicenters with effects felt along the path of the waves.ENDS