04 Jul 2021

Botswana Police Service are looking to crack down on violators of COVID-19 prevention protocols through stiffer penalties. 

Police service spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said in an interview that fines that the police had been giving people were not a deterrent enough as some were as little as P200. He said onwards the police would give anyone violating COVID-19 regulations a standard fine of P5 000. “There is no small or big offence when it comes to violation of COVID-19 regulations,” he said 

He cited weddings, funerals and unlawful gatherings as issues that were giving the police sleepless nights.

Assistant Commissioner Motube said common violations included failure to wear face masks, drinking liquor at prohibited places and failure to observe social distancing. 

He said for the month of June alone, a total of 14 120 people were charged and fined for contravening COVID-19 regulations. 

“These numbers are too high, given we’re still battling to contain the pandemic,” he said and urged members of the public to adhere to regulations to avoid fines. 

Mr Motube regretted that there were people who continued to hold wedding parties and those who provided meals at funerals, when the country was faced with an ever-growing infection rate. He warned that the police would not relent in their assignment to bring law and order and ensure Batswana were safe. ends