03 Jul 2021

Botswana Police Service has resolved to impose strict penalties to all offences against COVID-19 regulations.    

Police spokesperson, assistant commissioner Dipheko Motube in an interview, Friday said COVID-19 regulations related fines would attract a standard fine of P5 000 per offence.

He said the police had been lenient when charging those contravening COVID-19 regulations, judging by the adherence rate.

“There is no smaller or bigger offence to COVID-19 regulations,” he warned.

He said fines had not been a deterrent, hence continued contravention of regulations. Therefore, he cautioned the public to adhere to regulations as prescribed in the government gazette to avoid attracting hefty fines.  

He cited wedding, funerals and unlawful gathering as some of the areas, which had been problematic during the enforcement of the regulations.

Other common challenges encountered by the police were failure to wear facemasks, drinking liquor at prohibited areas and failure to observe social distancing.

He said for the month of June, a total of 14 120 people were charged and fined for contravening COVID-19 regulations. Assistant commissioner Motube said the numbers were too high, as the country was battling to contain the deadly COVID-19.

He said the numbers were an indication that Batswana were not conforming to the new normal, but rather want to continue with their pre-COVID-19 lifestyle, which could spread the virus.

He said the pandemic had changed the culture and norms of the society hence the need for all to embrace the change for the nation to beat the pandemic.

Mr Motube regretted that there were people who continued to slaughter cows for weddings and funerals, as well as erecting tents to celebrate weddings when the country is fighting a deadly virus.

Hence he said the police would not waiver in their efforts to enforce the law and would impose the strict penalties to ensure compliance. He said they were hopeful that the change in approach would deter people from flouting the regulations. Ends