24 Apr 2020

Four people were on Tuesday released from quarantine at Sebothe Lodge in Metlojane after they tested negative for COVID-19.

Southern District commissioner, Mr Mmoloki Raletobana, said the quartet included a middle aged woman who had taken her four-year old child from her father over the South African border and left the child with her parents in Tlhareseleele.

He said following a tip-off from residents, the child and her grandparents were taken for quarantine and the mother was also arrested two days later and subjected to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

He said after their release, the facility was left with seven border jumpers who were quarantined on different dates. He said following community sensitization, some of the people voluntarily presented themselves to the police while others were followed through tip-offs.

Mr Raletobana noted that border jumpers in the district, especially along Molopo river villages, were a concern because they hampered government’s efforts to fight COVID-19.

However, he appreciated the role of communities in combating the pandemic through tip-offs on illegal entries into the country. He urged them to continue doing their part by alerting authorities about suspected individuals.

On other issues, the district commissioner said they continued to experience an influx of people at the shopping malls especially from neighbouring villages.

Mr Raletobana said, even though they decided to manage issuance of permits through thorough screening, they also acknowledge that people had run out of groceries since it was month-end.

He said they continued to monitor the situation to ensure that people adhered to social distancing and hand hygiene. He also encouraged people to buy from nearby shops in their localities to avoid overcrowding. Ends