Despite the escalating number of Covid-19 cases in the country, police in Francistown are grappling with a high number of people who refuse to wear masks.
The revelation was made by Francistown Station Commander Superintendent Lebalang Maniki in an interview with The Telegraph on Monday. He said since the beginning of January 2021 police have charged 178 individuals for not wearing masks.
“This is a very serious concern. A high number of people are still refusing to use masks especially in the bus rank. This is despite the serious threat caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. It is disheartening to note that some individuals do not take the covid 19 pandemic with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
He also said revealed that during the same month they charged 88 individuals for failing to comply with the curfew regulations. He however said it was pleasing to note that members of the public were beginning to comply owing to intensified patrols by the police and other law enforcement officers. Asked on illegal selling of alcohol Superintendent Maniki said such cases have been under control in his policing area. He said they only have a few cases of people who illegally brew traditional beer in homes.
“We have since arrested three culprits who had been brewing traditional beer in their homes and they have since been charged. We have also charged a few individuals for drinking in prohibited areas but we have never charged anyone for selling alcohol in licensed premises after the national ban on alcohol sales and consumption above all there is high compliance in that regard,” he said.
Maniki said the curfew regulations have helped the police to combat criminal activities such as housebreakings and robberies due to their intensified patrols. He also said it is difficult for thieves to break into houses due to the fact that people are forced to stay in their homes due to the curfew regulations. He further said during their intensified patrols they do stop, question and search operations a strategy which has contributed positively to reduce crime in the policing area.
“My advice to members of the public is for them to work cordially with the police to try and fight crime and they should observe Corvid-19 regulations. We have had two cases in Francistown where members of the public fought police officers for enforcing law and order. The public should embrace the fact that law enforcement officers are there to serve and protect them and not to fight or provoke them,” he said.
