Curfew Reduces Crime Rate In Mogo

Pini Bothoko | Monday January 18, 2021 16:57

Mogoditshane Police Station commander, Superintendent Russ Letsebe said in an interview that ever since the restriction of people’s movement from 2000hrs to 0400hrs crime rates have dropped drastically amidst stay home orders.

“I do not have crime statistics with me now, but crime in my policing area has dropped. I was on night shift this weekend, but we have not registered violent crimes that has been tormenting us over the years,” he told The Monitor.

However, the police raised a concern over some business owners who appear to have moved their bars to homes. He stated that it appears that there are some bar owners who are now selling alcohol from their homes since the sale of alcohol is prohibited until January 31.

“We always see people carrying alcohol in their cars and we suspect there are some bar owners who are selling alcohol from their homes,” Letsebe said.

“We have not yet located those business owners but investigations are going to locate them. The sale of alcohol is currently prohibited and anyone who could be seen selling beers during this period will face the law.”

However, he bemoaned that there are still some people who gather in yards after 2000hrs being the curfew period and enjoy alcohol together. He said doing so is also against the law because the law states that everyone should be home and not visit.

Letsebe said they are worried about this move because when people congregate and drink alcohol they usually do not practice social distancing nor wear facemasks.

He said it is of great concern that despite the rising cases of COVID-19 infections, there are some alcohol imbibers who break the curfew.