BLOODY EASTER

Batswana abandoned plans to travel after reported accidents

Easter holidays are usually a time of rejoicing and connecting with loved ones, but for Botswana, the 2024 holidays have thrown the entire nation in deep sorrow.

In fact, Botswana did not get a chance to enjoy the holidays because right before the Easter holidays could begin, news spread fast and furious on Thursday afternoon that 45 Batswana had died in South Africa while traveling to Moria for Easter pilgrimage.

It all started off like some fabricated lies, but reality slowly sunk in by evening time when South Africa finally communicated with Botswana about the tragic incident. Everything soured instantly, with some of those who had intended to travel deciding to abandon their plans and await updates on the tragedy that occurred in South Africa.

On the same day, a 70-seater bus carrying about 77 passengers and traveling from Gaborone to Maun caught fire along the Gaborone-Molepolole Road at Gamodubu. Two women both aged 58 from Tlokweng and Ramotswa were found dead in the wreckage.

When giving an update about the two incidents this week, Botswana Police Divisional Commander South, Senior Assistant Commissioner Harrison Digobe said South African Police Service is busy identifying bodies adding that the process is likely to take time.

As for the Gamodubu accident, Digobe said the remains of the bus can still be seen along the road. Moreover, they have managed to successfully identify the deceased and contacted their families.

Officer Commanding of No. 2 District, Paul Oketsang said that this past Sunday in Palapye, a 65-seater bus collided with a VW Polo sedan resulting in the driver of the sedan sustaining injuries on the leg and hand. Four passengers on the bus - three men and a female - sustained injuries on the arms, forehead and hands.

Still in his policing area and along the A15 Road, Damochujenaa turn-off, a Toyota Corolla driven by a 67-year-old man collided with a Runx driven by a 39-year-old.

“A 44-year-old passenger who was inside the Corrolla lost his teeth during the accident, while passengers in the other car sustained head injuries,” Oketsang said.

Nicholas Kadiatla of No. 16 District said they recorded one serious road accident on Monday in which a bus collided with a Madza Demio.

“We were busy at work during the holidays, we charged a lot of people, statistics suggest that we charged a total of 575 for traffic related offences.

“Among those, 172 were for overspeeding, 39 for driving without wearing a seat belt and 16 for drunken driving,” he said.