07 Apr 2020

Though coronavirus is a deadly disease, some residents in Boteti have not heeded the advice to stay home and have been roaming the streets since the start of the state of emergency period.
 

On the first day of lockdown many flocked to the district commissioner’s office and went on to crowd the shops after being dispersed by law enforcement officers.

Senior Superintendent Sarah Gabathusi said people only dispersed to their homes following intervention by a BDF team. She expressed concern that members of the public were still preparing traditional brews in the villages of Letlhakane, Xere, Mopipi, Mmeya and Makgaba among others.

Two men and a woman were arrested in Letlhakane for illegal sale of traditional brew and others were also arrested at Mmeya with the same charge. She voiced concern that there was no compliance to COVID-19 precautionary measures as some relocated to cattle posts where they brewed traditional beer.

A police officer was ‘showered’ with traditional brew during patrol at Xere. Ms Gabathusi noted that some Rakops residents were not complying and were roaming the streets. She said a team of 45 soldiers was brought in on Saturday to reinforce and arrest the situation.

Assistant Superintendent Omphile Galani said most people left their homes under the pretext of going to get groceries whilst others requested permits to go to cattle posts and funerals. 
Ass. Supt Galani said they had two teams on ground, with one on foot and the other mobile.

Most of the people, he said, had relocated to the cattle-posts emphasising it was also crucial to comply with regulations.

In Orapa Superintendent Kebaitse Molefe said they had charged one person for visiting and others were charged for hosting a braai.
Meanwhile Letlhakane COVID-19 team has released three people from quarantine whilst 20 are still quarantined. ENDS