05 Apr 2021

Some people have resorted to escaping Covid-19 restrictions through a veterinary disease control cordon fence separating Kweneng and Central districts along Lephepe-Otse road.

The fence that stretches all the way to Dibete, controls movement of livestock from Kweneng, Central and Kgatleng districts.  

However, with livestock theft being prevalent in these zones, thieves took advantage of the cordon fence by cutting it open to make movement of both vehicles and humans easy.

Speaking in an interview after tour of the cordon fence recently, Sojwe police station commander, Superintendent Kitsiso Lemogang said police were concerned about farmers who damaged the veterinary cordon fence to track their livestock between the two districts.

He indicated that this opened a gateway to criminal activities particularly livestock theft and people who took advantage of the damaged fence in order  to escape Covid-19 restrictions especially those who did not have permits to cross between the two districts.

Supt Lemogang said this made the police duty difficult as well as government efforts to curb spread of the virus.  

Since the Easter holidays, Sojwe police arrested one person who tried to avoid road block by sneaking through the cordon fence.

Supt Lemogang said since curfew was introduced, police had arrested numerous people from different places who used these illegal openings in the fence during the night to crisscross between the districts either for fun or for personal trips.

He also highlighted that there were a number of openings in the fence or ungazetted roads. 

However, he said police were on the lookout for those who would attempt to cross illegally using these ungazetted roads.  

Those found guilty, he said, were fined P1 000 each.

Supt Lemogang further highlighted that they had collaborated with police stationed at Ikongwe road block in the Central District to patrol the fence.  

Unfortunately, he said some people escaped roadblocks by using alternative routes  from Mokgenene and Poloka settlement to access the A1.  

However, in order to contain the situation they were now working hand in hand with  Mochudi police.

On Saturday April 3, Sojwe police turned down more than 20 people at Lephepe road block who had wanted to cross into the Central District without permits.  ENDS