28 Jul 2021

 It is undisputable that the advent of the coronavirus in 2019 to date has affected every aspect of life across the world and people no longer lead normal lives. 

According to Inspector Otshidile Bikitshane of Shakawe police station, some of the events they used to do prior to COVID-19 as women in the police service were no longer tenable and this had affected people emotionally and psychologically. 

Inspector Bikitshane said within the Botswana Police Service, existed an association dubbed Women Police Network, to which all women police automatically became members upon joining the service. 

Through the association, she said, they had a social responsibility of supporting each other at events such as weddings, baby showers and birthday celebrations among others but COVID-19 had affected all those. 

Inspector Bikitshane also noted that the arrival of the virus had also brought along more work for the police as they were now swamped with duties. 

Therefore, she said, Shakawe Women Police Network saw it fit to organise a retreat for staff, inclusive male counterparts to unwind at the fascinating Tsodilo hills. 

She said the objective of the retreat was to restore officers’ hope and emotions during the pandemic. “I hope when we leave this place, all will be refreshed. 

We have come to a place that we do not usually frequent as officers, and that alone can relax someone’s mind,” she said. 

The retreat was also characterised by a long walk up the Tsodilo hills as part of the physical exercise. 

Other participating police stations were Sepopa, Kauxwi and Mohembo satellite. Ends