26 Mar 2020

Traditional leaders have been urged to be exemplary in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during a consultative meeting recently at Maun main kgotla, Kgosi Bringle Dithapo urged traditional leaders to head government’s call and play an active role towards prevention of the virus.

He also urged them to embark on public awareness campaigns about the disease and to come up with measures to control the spread of the virus.

Kgosi Dithapo noted that dikgosi were the ears of society hence the need to be at the forefront in encouraging implementation of preventive measures.

Kgosi Dithapo also said government alone could not win the war against the virus without their support and urged all to come on board.

He raised concern about the high number of children around shopping centres, saying they were at high risk of being infected.

He appealed to parents to restrict their children from unnecessary movements.

Kgosi Dithapo also said he wished the government could have closed all liquor outlets, saying operating ones encouraged bulk buying and drinking in groups.

“I am worried about the operation of bottle stores and liquor wholesales.

Government should consider closing all businesses selling liquor because they encourage people to violate measures in place such as social distancing,” he added.

Tribal administrator, Ms Bontle Marumola advised traditional leaders to desist from practicing some cultural norms and values which encompassed body contact and social gatherings.

 She said dikgosi would temporarily suspend issuance of permits for slaughtering cattle for celebrations or community activities as one of the precautionary measures.

Ms Marumola also encouraged dikgosi and all village committees to work as a team in the fight against COVID-19.

For their part, some traditional leaders requested health officials to provide them with protection materials as they served different people on a daily basis.

They also complained about shebeens, saying they attracted a lot of people and thus put them at the risk of being infected by the virus.

They said shebeens should be monitored by law enforcement agencies. ENDs