12 May 2020

Police are worried about influx of illegal entry into the country by Zimbabwean nationals.

In an interview, Semolale police station commander, Superintendent Boipuso Baatweng said ever since

lockdown came into effect, they had been battling cross border theft and illegal entry.

Just over the weekend, the police acting on a tip-off from some members of the community, nabbed seven Zimbabwean men who could not explain their presence in the country.

Supt. Baatweng said their initial suspicion was that they could have entered the country illegally to smuggle livestock into Zimbabwe while owners were in a lockdown.

Investigations into their illegal entry were ongoing while the seven are in police custody.

Supt. Baatweng said last week, they also arrested another Zimbabwean man who entered the country illegally and was subsequently deported back to his country.

He said their tour of the cordon fence, which also acted as border fence between Botswana and Zimbabwe along Shashe River, had shown multiple cuts, a sign that smugglers had been on a busy schedule of illegal entry and livestock theft.

In other issues, Supt. Baatweng reported that they had arrested and charged P500 each, two females in company of two males aged between 23 and 35 for drinking alcohol at Mashatu.

Upon investigations, Supt. Baatweng said they were led to a bar in Molalatau where the attendant illegally and secretly opened the outlet to assist the charged.

As regards the bar attendant, the matter was handed over to Bobonong police station under whose jurisdiction Molalatau falls.

At Tsetsebjwe, Baines Drift station commander Onneetse Gagogosha said they had in custody a 26-year-old for attempted rape of a 16-year-old.

Mr Gagogosha said the near victim was rescued by members of community who subsequently helped the police in arresting the suspect. Investigation into the matter is ongoing. ENDS