21 May 2020

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape has appreciated the COVID-19 pandemic teams working at Lobatse Pioneer and Ramatlabama border posts.

Speaking at Lobatse, Dr Kwape thanked them for working tirelessly in the fight against the coronavirus, noting that the purpose of his visit was to check the movement of essential trucks across the borders and to also check progress of the COVID-19 testing of the truckers.

He advised the team to work cooperatively with the truck drivers because they were playing an essential role of bringing food into the country.

The Lobatse deputy District Commissioner Ms Kolobetso Sejakgomo thanked the minister for the visit and said government’s decision of allowing the trucks to proceed after doing the tests had made border processes quicker.

She also confirmed that all the trucks were being escorted to their destination and that the testing at the border was ongoing without any hindrances.

When briefing the minister at the Ramatlabama border, the acting District Health Management Team (DHMT) Coordinator, Dr Jonas Bengole said since May 11, they had managed to perform the testing of all truck drivers.

He said from May 11 to 17, they tested about 545 truck drivers and collected 434 results, indicating that after the tests were done, truck drivers were allowed to proceed and were escorted.

Dr Bengole further explained that there was no more congestion of the trucks and additional space had been created near the weighbridge for the trucks. Ends