26 Sep 2017

Mysterious fire gutted five rooms at the Tshwaragano Hotel, also reeling part of the Thathaganya hill, where the hotel is located.

Serowe Police Assistant Superintendent Bopelo Ntatiwa said they suspected hotel, which is owned by the Swaneng Cooperative Society, was set on fire by juveniles who randomly visited the place.

“The first fires erupted in what used to be a conference centre. Firefighters did their best to contain it but soon the fire engulfed other parts of the facility fanned by strong winds of the night,” he said.

Assistant Superintendent Ntatiwa said no human injuries were recorded as the rooms had been left unused, unoccupied and abandoned, ever since the previous fire outbreak which occurred in 2014, affecting about five thatched rooms.

He advised that it was the responsibility of the society to see to it that they assisted in cases where fires erupted, adding that nowadays people tend to think fires were only controlled by the fire brigade only.

“If we can assist in putting out fires, we stand a chance to reduce the impact of such fires on our buildings,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police chief said they were concerned by the increasing number of church break ins, adding that over the weekend two churches, Christ Embassy and Family of God, at Botalaote and Tshikinyega wards respectively were broken into.

He said they had arrested a suspect and confiscated musical equipment belonging to Family of God.

The culprit has already appeared at the Kgotla and was sentenced to 12 strokes and to give P3 950 compesation  as he was reported to have burned some speaker covers.

He appealed to the community to assist and come forward when they have information linked to crimes in the village, adding that investigations were ongoing for the Christ Embassy case.

Further, he pleaded with church leadership not to leave valuables within the premises as they attract thieves, or to hire night watch-men to guard their premises. ENDS