29 Mar 2020

A South African woman, 35, was arrested by Selebi Phikwe police in connection with claims that two South Africans, who were quarantined at Selebi Phikwe Industrial Clinic, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Selebi Phikwe Police Station commander, Superintendent Meshack Pulenyane said the suspect, Charmaine Ibrahim who resided in Selebi Phikwe, was arrested March 26 and appeared before Selebi Phikwe chief magistrate, Ms Basetsana Keakantse on a single count of offensive electronic communication.

He said her plea was reserved until investigations on the matter were concluded.

Supt Pulenyane said Ibrahim was given conditional bail and ordered to surrender her travel documents to the investigating officer and not to interfere with police investigations.

She will appear before the Selebi Phikwe Magistrate Court on April 7.

The offence carries a one year prison sentence or P20 000 fine or both.

Selebi Phikwe Hospital public relations officer, Ms Onalethata Nkwe dismissed the claims and stated that the town had no confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Prior to Ibrahim’s arrest, it was reported that six South Africans who arrived in Botswana on March 24 were quarantined at Selebi Phikwe Industrial Clinic isolation centre.

The six were five women and a man aged between 56 and 76. They had come to attend a relative’s funeral in Selebi-Phikwe.

Ms Nkwe stated that they were transported to Ramatlabama to ensure that they crossed the border without contact with other people.

Ms Nkwe added that they were under police escort to ensure that they complied with precautionary measures put in place to fight the pandemic.

She said the hospital had been screening them daily as well as providing them with food and other necessities to make their lives easier.

“We have also provided them with food and water for their journey to Ramatlabama so that they do not make stop overs to buy food,” she said.

The six, who were coming from Mafikeng in the North West Province, were handed over to South African authorities on arrival at Ramatlabama Border Gate on March 26.

Only returning citizens and Botswana nationals are allowed entry into the country and they go through a 14-day mandatory quarantine. ENDS