Police in Mahalapye are investigating a case in which anti retroviral drugs (ARVs) went missing from the Mahalapye Airstrip Clinic following a burglary at its lockable special room.
Mahalapye police Senior Superintendent and spokes person, Neo Kedumetse confirmed this on Friday.
Kedumetse said the airstrip clinic’s management had reported the matter to the police. He added that 12 boxes containing ARVs were found missing. Each box held 108 bottles of the medication valued at P138 301.54.
Three of the 12 boxes have so far been recovered, but Kedumetse stated that ongoing investigations are focused on where and when the drugs were found.
“The ARVs stolen in most cases are being sold to foreigners and other private practitioners locally as they are said to be very expensive,” said Kedumetse.
Two Batswana in police custody are being held in relation to the case of the stolen drugs. Three more suspects, two Batswana and a foreigner, are still at large. Kedumetse said Mahalapye police have launched a search for them.
“These are resources government is using in her effort to assist Batswana to improve their health and it is a costly exercise which should be utilised wisely,” said Kedumetse. He appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious people.
Mahalapye Hospital Public Relations officer Mompati Malete also confirmed the matter, adding that police investigations are yet to end. However, he did not reveal the new arrangement for assisting the patients nor did he divulge whether the stolen ARVs would be replaced. Also, he declined to reveal the number of patients enrolled for ARVs at Airstrip clinic.
“The Stations Commander will provide you with the details of the matter, since they are handling the case as some of the information could disturb the ongoing investigations,” said Malete.
