01 Feb 2021

Botswana Prisons Services deputy commissioner Mr Dikakanyo Mmolawa has encouraged Maun prisons staff to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.

He said prisons staff were responsible for their own health as well as those of the inmates and therefore should guard against COVID-19 spread into prisons.

Mr Mmolawa advised that off duty officers should remain at home on standby to prevent overcrowding the workplace.

He observed that prison officers’ job required extensive training therefore government could not afford to train new officers if the situation got out of hand.

When answering comments from officers who requested that the prison staff be tested for COVID-19 at least once a month, Mr Mmolawa said Maun Prisons supervisors should make an arrangement with the Ngami Regional Health Management Team to achieve that, saying a rapid test was allowed for Prisons staff considering the nature of their duty.

Assistant Superintendent Mosetsana Tshekiso of Maun prisons office appreciated deputy commissioner’s visit to sensitise the prisons staff on COVID-19 protocols. ENDS