25 Apr 2021

Two churches in Mmathubudukwane thave been charged for unlawful gathering as stipulated in COVID-19 regulations.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Mmathubudukwane Police Station commander, Superintendent Matthews Gatang said 27 members of Ikhayalihle Esemazoleni Zion Church were charged on March 3 and the case is still pending.

He said in another case 32 members of St Johane Apostolic Church were charged on March 20 and they paid a P5 000 fine.

He said both church gatherings were found near Madikwe River during police patrols late at night.

Superintendent Gatang said between January and mid-April this year, they had registered 101 cases of people who did not wear masks, 65 cases of unlawful gathering, 147 cases of people who did not abide by the curfew regulations, 16 cases of unlawful trade of liquor and 12 cases of entering Botswana through ungazetted points of entry.

He noted that a peak in violation of regulations occurred mostly during holidays, weekends and month ends.

Superintendent Gatang said they carried out visitations in clinics, post offices and public places to sensitise the public about COVID-19  protocols and noted that the vigorous enforcement of charging law-breakers had helped to curb the spread of the disease.

Superintendent Gatang urged the public to utilise police services by reporting any foul occurrences and to desist from getting on the wrong side of the law. Ends