07 Oct 2020

Tshesebe Police have arrested a 46-year-old Zimbabwean man found in possession of two tanks of 200 litres full of petrol and 190 kilograms of green tobacco.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA recently, Assistant Superintendent Otlaadisa Mogotsi of Tshesebe Police said the man, who was arrested in his home in Siviya had a valid Botswana residence permit and was charged with non-declaration of goods.

The Tshesebe Police Chief highlighted that upon questioning, the man admitted to selling petrol illegally in Zimbabwe. He said the man pointed out that he stock piled petrol in big drums in his home then smuggled it to Zimbabwe. 

Ass. Supt Mogotsi said the confiscated tobacco was prohibited in Botswana and it appeared the substance had been smuggled from Zimbabwe for distribution in Botswana.

Ass. Supt Mogotsi noted that it was difficult to eradicate the illegal sale of petrol at border villages becuase fuel stations continued to sell to people in plastic containers at odd hours. He called on businesses to desist from enabling criminal activities by selling petrol or any illegally.

 Meanwhile, Ass. Supt Mogotsi said they experienced peaceful independence holidays in his policing area, which stretched from Moroka to Jackalas 2 villages.

He said police and byelaw officers carried out inspections of business facilities, churches and social events where they observed  compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

Ass Supt Mogotsi expressed his satisfaction with restaurants and liquor outlets for adhering to operation times, adding that holidays were usually a headache for law enforcers as businesses failed to respect times of operations. 

He observed that  residents adhered to social distancing regulations by staying at home and avoiding social gathering like parties and picnics.

He further noted that there were no road accidents reported over the holidays, which he said was an indication that motorists were responsible on the roads.

Ass. Supt Mogotsi said with the closure of Ramokgwebana border gate, traffic flow on the A1 road from Francistown had reduced as compared to the past years. 

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