25 Oct 2020

 The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has commended traditional leaders for their commitment towards the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in their respective villages.

Mr Tsogwane, who was speaking at Ntlo ya dikgosi meeting on October 22, said since the outbreak of the pandemic, traditional leaders had been spreading awareness messages to sensitise communities.

“The pandemic brought along confusion and uncertainties and traditional leaders at their respective villages strived to ease the tension through meetings and other platforms with their communities,” he said.

He said traditional leaders also enforced necessary discipline and also ensured order not only in their jurisdiction areas.

He further said while the country was still battling with challenges of COVID-19, traditional leaders should also continue to give out the necessary support so as to contain the spread of the virus at villages.

The Vice President also briefed Ntlo ya dikgosi members of the decision taken by Parliament to extend the State of Emergency with six months as guided by the statistics which indicate that the pandemic continued to take a toll.

He said the government would continue to assist those affected, saying health status for citizens would always be given priority.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Presidential COVID-19 Task Team, Dr Kereng Masupu said since August to date, positive cases from borders declined, while local cases escalated at an alarming rate.

He said Greater Gaborone had registered high numbers, which he attributed to  lack of compliance.  

“From the 17^th to the 19^th of October we registered a total of 314 new cases, this indicates that on a daily basis we registered more than 100 cases and Greater Gaborone is always on the lead,” he said.

Dr Masupu further said current statistics indicated that 4 578 cases have been registered of which 3 630 were still active cases, 917 were recoveries while 21 have died.

Dr Masupu further encouraged a continuous compliance with COVID-19 safety measures.

For his part Kgosi Oatleng Setlhodi from Maun Region, appreciated the update by the Vice President, saying this showed democracy and transparency.

Kgosi Setlhodi further pleaded for activation of committees that were elected at villages with the intention to assist in the fight against COVID-19.

He said there was a need for enforcement of regulations considering that some people still failed to comply especially on wearing face masks and keeping social distance.

Kgosi Rebecca Banika of Pandamatenga decried failure by some alcohol outlets to comply with the stipulated times and protocols.

 “Some bars allow people to sit and drink crowded in one place, they fail to wear a face mask and to keep social distance,” she said.

Kgosi Banika further called for intensified border patrols. Ends