22 Jul 2020

Ten Ramatlabama Border Post based police officers have been applauded for putting their lives on the line for the good of the nation.

 Health coordinator for the southern region, Ms Josephine Mosimanewakgosi praised the officers July 19 when releasing them and four others, among them three children, from a nine-day quarantine in Kanye following contact with a border jumper, who later tested positive for coronavirus.   

   The children, aged between seven and 15, were exposed to the virus through their mother, who was engaged to cater for the border jumper while in police custody, whereas the officers were on duty. 

She said the sacrifices they made were noticed and appreciated. 

Ms Mosimanewakgosi expressed pleasure that they all tested negative but advised them to further self-quarantine for another week to protect friends and families, explaining that the incubation period for the coronavirus was 21 days.

Meanwhile she has urged institutions such as Botswana Police Service and Botswana Defence Force to provide officers, especially those based at high risk areas, with basic personal protective equipment to keep them out of harm’s way.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi further warned that hospitals in neighbouring South Africa were stretched beyond capacity and cautioned officers to remain vigilant.

She advised them to avoid touching border jumpers with bare hands.ends