13 Apr 2020

 Kasane Police Station Commander, Superintendent James Maabong has refuted allegations that people who were quarantined at Chobe Marina Lodge for 14 days stole some bedding items from the hotel.

On Sunday, at around 9am, a CTO bus carrying released quarantined people from the hotel was forced to make a U-turn at Kazungula back to the hotel for the guests to be searched.

This was after the hotel site manager had reported missing bedding in many rooms that were occupied by quarantined guests.

Supt Maabong however said it was later discovered that the bedding had been taken by cleaners to the laundry for washing and the bus was thereafter released.

Kasane police have also raised a concern over the increasing rate of repeated offenders who fail to comply with the lockdown regulations.

He said Section 7 of the Emergency Powers Act, which ‘restricts movement of persons during lockdown,' clearly states that every person shall remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of the yard space to avoid contact outside his household.’

He said ‘a person who contravenes this section is liable to a fine not exceeding P5 000, or to a term not exceeding three years imprisonment, or both'.

He said those arrested and charged continued to pay their fines, adding that those failing to pay would be taken to court for further action.

Supt Maabong however said Good Friday and Easter holidays were calm as no serious offences were recorded.

Furthermore, police and members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) have intensified their patrols to ensure there was peace and tranquility in Kasane.

Meanwhile, 51 more people who had been in quarantine in Kasane were this morning released after they tested negative, bringing to 112, the number of people who had been released so far since last week.

Kasane DHMT coordinator, Dr Botshelo Kgwaadira said those released were from Gaborone, Bobonong, Thamaga and Francistown while some were from Sekakangwe in the North East District.

He said the remaining 40 were still awaiting their results from the national laboratory in Gaborone. END