02 Apr 2020

Phitshane Molopo police have arrested 31 people for entering Botswana through ungazetted points in the Barolong area.

In an interview, Phitshane Molopo station commander Superintendent Thusego Kenyafetse said the 31 who included four Zimbabweans, two South Africans and 25 Batswana were arrested between March 25 and April 1.

He said the Zimbabweans and South Africans nationals were returned to their countries, while Batswana were sent to Ramatlabama to be put on 14 days mandatory quarantine as per the regulations.

He noted that even though some of the people were caught along the border, others were arrested following tip-offs by members of the communities of various villages, which are close to the border.

Supt. Kenyafetse said some reportedly arrived from their work stations in South Africa while others had crossed into South Africa for social events such as funerals. He said all the locals arrested had been charged for failure to present themselves to immigration officials before being sent to quarantines. He noted that some had paid the P1000 fine.

Supt. Kenyafetse applauded members of the public for displaying high level of responsibility by uniting with the government to fight the spread of COVID-19 and criminal activities in general.

He urged the public to continue with the good spirit to curb the devastating effects of COVID-19. He said they had intensified patrols along the border in various villages.

“We have intensified our patrols along the border to curb this problem so we are now visible everywhere,” he noted. Ends