15 Jul 2020

Standard Chartered Bank of Botswana on July 13 donated 5 000 N95 face masks worth P510 000 to Botswana Police Services.

Speaking during the donation, Standard Chartered Bank chief executive officer, Mr Mpho Masupe said there was need to recognise and value police officers’ everyday duties.

He said police officers continued to risk their lives enforcing COVID-19 regulations.

“In most cases when we think of the frontline workers our focus is on those in the medical fraternity, but today we would like to pay tribute to the disciplined forces for their unwavering commitment in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is because of you that we feel safe and protected,” he said.

Mr Masupe said the face masks were a token of appreciation intended to protect police officers as they continued with their interventions, which included controlling traffic and inter-zonal boundaries as well as escorting trucks delivering essential goods to the country.

For his part, Senior Assistant Commissioner, Solomon Mantswe appreciated the gesture from the bank, noting that N95 face masks were one of the most effective protective items.

He admitted that it was difficult for the police to procure the N95 masks because of global demand.

Assistant Commissioner Mantswe said the masks would give police officers assurance of safety as they continued with their daily business in efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.

“We have officers stationed at borders, quarantine centres and patrolling the streets.

I am hopeful that these masks will go a long way in assisting on issues of safety and protection,” he said.

He also said the fight against COVID-19 was a marathon and that it required joint efforts from different stakeholders.

He added that police officers also felt obliged to play a role, saying they had also donated over P10 million to the COVID-19 Relief Fund from their pockets so that the disadvantaged could also be assisted. ENDS

Standard Chartered Bank of Botswana on Monday donated 5 000 N95 face masks worth P510 000 to Botswana Police Services.

Speaking during the donation, Standard Chartered Bank chief executive officer, Mr Mpho Masupe said there was need to recognise and value police officers’ everyday duties.

He said police officers continued to risk their lives enforcing COVID-19 regulations.

“In most cases when we think of the frontline workers our focus is on those in the medical fraternity, but today we would like to pay tribute to the disciplined forces for their unwavering commitment in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is because of you that we feel safe and protected,” he said.

Mr Masupe said the face masks were a token of appreciation intended to protect police officers as they continued with their interventions, which included controlling traffic and inter-zonal boundaries as well as escorting trucks delivering essential goods to the country.

For his part, Senior Assistant Commissioner, Solomon Mantswe appreciated the gesture from the bank, noting that N95 face masks were one of the most effective protective items.

He admitted that it was difficult for the police to procure the N95 masks because of global demand.

Assistant Commissioner Mantswe said the masks would give police officers assurance of safety as they continued with their daily business in efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.

“We have officers stationed at borders, quarantine centres and patrolling the streets.

I am hopeful that these masks will go a long way in assisting on issues of safety and protection,” he said.

He also said the fight against COVID-19 was a marathon and that it required joint efforts from different stakeholders.

He added that police officers also felt obliged to play a role, saying they had also donated over P10 million to the COVID-19 Relief Fund from their pockets so that the disadvantaged could also be assisted. ENDS