Another Police Chopper Crashes
Sharon Mathala | Monday August 1, 2016 18:00
The incident happened Saturday night and the rescue team were immediately flown into the CKGR. The officers have been flown back to Gaborone for medical attention.
Insiders within the service have however exclusively shared that out of the six officers, only one sustained major injuries and is currently at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) whilst the other five sustained minor injuries, which can be treated. The Botswana Police Service (BPS) Public relations officer, Witness Bosija confirmed this. He said, “Six officers are currently in hospital after their helicopter crash-landed yesterday evening (Saturday evening) at the CKGR.” Bosija also confirmed that there were no fatalities during the incident but the officers sustained injuries and have been dispatched to different health facilities. “ There were no fatalities, but the officers sustained injuries and have been taken to hospital. They were on a routine anti poaching operation in the CKGR,” said Bosija who emphasised that the BPS can only share the preliminary investigation, as the incident is still fresh.
It still remains to be seen if the crash is in the same manner as the one that claimed the lives of three officers back in April 2014.
Then Superintendent Keokeditswe Sobatha, Assistant Superintendent Shepherd Ntobedzi and Inspector Ricardo Modiri Mabotho lost their lives in another helicopter crash. Their helicopter went missing for two days before it was found in the remote settlement of Nokaneng near Gumare.
The Police later, in their report to the affected families, said that they did not instruct the trio to fly on that day, despite earlier reports that the deceased officers were also on a routine operation.
The families later sued the police for P15million a case which is currently before court. The High court has however instructed the Minister of Transport and Communications, Tshenolo Mabeo to avail the report to the families.