10 Aug 2020

Deputy chief in Matsiloje, Kgosi Solomon Segopa, says closure of Matsiloje border gate might have led to an increase in the number of border jumpers. 

In an interview recently,  Kgosi Segopa said the village’s proximity to the Botswana-Zimbabwe border could be another reason for border jumping. 

He lamented that such movements were likely to put both countries at risk especially when one of the border jumpers could be COVID-19 positive. 

Though he could not state the figures, Kgosi Segopa explained that many people had been arrested through the help of members of the community.

He said some of those arrested had goods that were bought either from Botswana or Zimbabwe.

He applauded the village COVID-19 committee for doing a good job in sensitising residents about the importance of adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

However, Kgosi Segopa said most residents did not adhere to COVID-19 protocols that included social distancing, sanitizing and wearing of face masks.

He said it was disheartening that school going children only wore their face masks when at school.

Kgosi Segopa implored both teachers and parents to join forces and showed these children the importance of wearing face masks at all times, whether at school, walking from school as well as at home.

He explained that people should understand that this disease was everywhere and could be contracted at anytime, adding that the lockdown in the greater Gaborone was an indication that the country was at risk. 

Kgosi Segopa expressed gratitude towards government for finding it fit to ban the sale of alcohol.

He explained that the ban came barely two days after the village leadership had issued licenses for the sale of traditional alcohol.

However, he said alcohol on its own was one of the major contributory factors to the spread of the coronavirus because most alcohol drinkers did not adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

Matsiloje police were not available for comment. 

ends