24 Mar 2020

Government has opened a bank account to allow members of the public to contribute towards fighting the COVD–19 pandemic, the vice president has said.

Apprising Ntlo ya Dikgosi members on progress made in the fight against the pandemic at the National Assembly yesterday, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the  outbreak had called for immediate reaction necessitating the insitution of costly measures.

He said members  had been enquiring about making  contributions towards sustaining government efforts aimed at stopping the virus from spreading into the country.

Mr Tsogwane said the Minister for Presidential Affairs,  Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng and the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Thuso Ramodimoosi had been tasked with the responsibility of managing the account.

Mr Ramodimoosi would  assist those wishing to contribute either financially or by any other means, said Mr Tsogwane.

Communication on where to deposit money would be done in due course, he said.

Mr Tsogwane told dikgosi that as custodians of communities, government had seen it necessary to consult and engage them in updating the public on the virus.

 He stessed the importance of abiding by laid down measures as they were meant to curb any possible spread of the virus into the country.

Even though constraining, Mr Tsogwane said, the set precautionary measures were meant to safeguard people’s lives.

He pointed out that neighboring South Africa was under strain, as confirmed cases of the virus were increasing daily.

Mr Tsogwane said even though South Africa was the primary exporter of commodities and other services to Botswana, the country had been forced to engage stringent measures to contain the virus.

“We believe they had taken decisions that were appropriate,” said Mr Tsogwane.

He said movement between Botswana and bordering countries would be restricted.

Movement would only be allowed for emergency cases, he said.

However, Mr Tsogwane said the actions would not restrict transportation of goods and services but would be fully monitored by some strict measures. 

Mr Tsogwane said government was aware that the measures were likely to impact negatively on the business community and general livelihoods. ENDs