Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Riots spread to Ghanzi

By Friday evening indications were that riots that had enveloped places like Molepolole had spread to as far flung places as Ghanzi.

A spokesperson of the Botswana Movement for Democracy, John Motsumi, said police in Ghanzi had used teargass to disperse a group near the headquaters of the trade union.

He said he was an eye witness to an incident involving the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by Botswana Police.

According to Motsumi, who is also the BMD Chair for Ghanzi area, the police were reacting to an incident where some members of the public had burnt a tyre and left it on the road.

“I blame the police. I think they overreacted. They should have left the trade union leaders to handle the matter because the incident happened just outside the premises of the trade union,” said Motsumi.

He said the patrons of the Texas Bar, which is close to where the incident happened, were also affected by the tear gas.

Meanwhile, on Friday police in Molepolole fought a protracted battle with junior secondary school students, after the police tried to stop students from embarking on a peaceful march to present a petition to the Regional Education Officer in Molepolole.

There were also fears that Lobatse was on the brink, after security agents picked information that Lobatse Secondary School students wanted to join their striking teachers.

Unconfirmed reports also indicate that unless the stand off beteween Government and the Unions is resolved, Molepolole College of Education students could join the striking public servants.

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