BR Halts Night Train Movements To South Africa

By Oliver Modise
Staff Writer | Monday May 26, 2008 00:00

 

She revealed that as a result of these shocking incidents, BR has resolved to run its train going to South Africa during the day.

Masenya also revealed that after the incident last Thursday, the train was recalled as two BR officers had been injured and the train's windscreen smashed.

The incidents that occurred last week Wednesday and Thursday came with a sense of shock. Masenya told Monitor that they are awaiting a report from the South African Police.

'A driver and his assistant were admitted to the Mafikeng hospital,' she said.

She, however, denied that the attack on the Botswana train by the mob could be linked to the violent attacks on foreigners, especially Zimbabweans and Mozambican nationals, in South Africa.

Station Commander at Ramatlabana Police station Superintendent Joseph Kgalaeng said: 'Everything is normal' at the border post. He said that he was not even aware that one of BR's trains had been damaged.

In a separate interview, Director of Public Relations and Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Clifford Maribe said the ministry has not received any reports of any Batswana being injured in the latest xenophobic attacks that have erupted in Johannesburg, Cape Town and elsewhere in that country.

He told Monitor that the ministry was keeping its ear on the ground by maintaining contact with its High Commission in South Africa 'People have been advised to inform the mission if they have problems,' he said, adding that it was important for Batswana residing in South Africa and those  wishing to visit to be cautious at all times.