26 Apr 2020

Maun police have arrested a 31-year-old man who was found in possession of goods alleged to have stolen from Leopard Plains Safari Camp at Makalamabedi along Maun/Francistown Road.

Station commander, Superintendent Chenamo Orateng confirmed in an interview that the man was arrested on Friday, April 24 at Motlopi village following a report from Leopard Plains Safari Camp that goods worth over P10 000 had been stolen from the camp.

The goods, he said included a chain saw and foodstuffs worth P3 350 and it was reported that the suspect cut off the tent to gain entrance.

He said police officers who attended the report managed to arrest the suspect on the same day and all the stolen goods were recovered.

Supt. Orateng said the suspect was currently in police custody and would appear before Maun magistrate on April 27 to answer for a charge for theft.

Nonetheless, he said they had experienced reduction in burglary incidents this year as compared to last year, which he attributed to the extreme social distancing regulations which aimed to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

He said many people took the regulation seriously as they reduced roaming the streets while on the other hand crime incidents decreased. 

Recently, he said crime rate in his policing area had reduced by 50 per cent due to movement restriction.

Supt. Orateng said however, there were people who continued to violate COVID-19 regulations, including those involved in criminal activities.

He acknowledged the cooperation of drivers and other road users at road blocks, saying 90 per cent of them had permits.

He thus appealed to the entire community to stay home and minimise the spread of the coronavirus. Ends