17 Feb 2021

Botswana Prisons Services is said to have recorded 519 COVID-19 positive cases in prisons across the country.

“Out of the 519 cases, 513 were males while six were females,” said Assistant Commissioner of Botswana Prisons Services, Mr Wamorena Ramolefhe during a press briefing on COVID-19 related issues on Tuesday.

He indicated that they also recorded one death of an inmate and two warders since the beginning of the year.

He said currently there were 407 active and 105 recoveries, adding that all the six females had recovered.

Mr Ramolefhe divulged that some of the facilities where positive cases were recorded were; Moshupa Boys Prison, Letlhakane and Molepolole, while Tsabong recorded the highest number and one death. 

He said with an average population of between 3 700 and 4 000, his organisation was more vulnerable, but pointed out that the situation was under control and therefore there was no need to panic just yet. 

He said they were doing everything possible to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols.

He said they always ensured that washing basins and sanitisers were available, as well as encouraged prisoners to always wear masks and social distance, where possible. 

Mr Ramolefhe added that they had set up quarantine centres at Lobatse and Francistown, collaborating with District Health Management Teams across the country. 

They also procure PPE.

Furthermore, he said they had closed down workshops, reduced visits to one per month, suspended sporting activities and increased health screening at stations.

He said as a way of decongesting facilities, 149 prisoners received presidential pardon, while 62 were released to do extramural labour. ends