26 May 2020

Statistics from Semolale and Bobobong police offices show that residents were generally compliant during the lockdown period from April 2 to May 21.

Bobonong Police Station that oversees the villages of Bobonong, Molalatau and Lepokole recorded 291 cases of contravention of the Emergency Powers Act.

The numbers also show that out of the 291 cases, 216 were in relation to the movement of people during the lockdown. Eleven cases were in violation of the provision of gatherings and 33 for sale of alcohol among other charges.

During the same period, the station also recorded cases that were not related to the emergency act. The station recorded three cases of defilement against five last year during the same period. The police station also recorded two cases of murder during the lockdown while none was recorded last year during the same period.

Another trend was that of contravening the Immigration Act. The station recorded 49 immigration related cases while 52 were recorded in the same period last year.

The station did not record any cases of attempted rape, threat to kill, armed robbery or road fatalities.

Bobonong Police Station Commander, Mr Paul Seoko attributed the reduction in crime to the lockdown. He reasoned that criminals were denied room to hide since they could be easily spotted. However, Mr Seoko was worried by immigration related crimes as well as stock theft, saying they were on the rise.

He appealed to residents to tip off police in order to nip criminal activities in the bud.

He said illegal immigrants reported themselves in large numbers owing to the strict rules that saw illegal immigrants starving at farms. He said those who showed up were repatriated.

Meanwhile at Semolale Police Station, statistics showed that 44 people were charged with failure to comply. Of the 44, 18 were charged with failure to remain at their place of residence, seven with unlawful gathering and 12 with entering the country through ungazetted points.

Semolale station commander, Mr Boipuso Baatweng said considering the period of the lockdown and the five villages under his area, the level of crime showed that many were compliant with the regulations.

Superintendent Baatweng cited Lentswelemoriti as a highly compliant area, saying they recorded zero cases of non-compliance.

However, Mr Baatweng expressed concern over people who entered the country through ungazetted points. He wondered how they continued with their illegal entries as all neighbouring countries were on lockdown too.

Mr Baatweng appealed for continued wearing of masks, saying failure to comply would invite charges. He warned that COVID-19 had not been defeated and that people needed to adhere to stipulated measures. ENDS