Four Die In Road Accidents
Pini Bothoko | Monday December 17, 2018 15:17
Botswana Police Service senior superintendent, Andrew Montshiwa said drivers’ attitudes on the roads remain a concern as road accidents continue to claim lives.
Montshiwa said since festive mood has started, drivers’ excitement is of concern on the roads, something that calls for vigilance at all times.
He said fatal accidents continue to be the country’s major problem and remain the leading cause of death amongst citizens, especially the youth. Montshiwa pleaded with drivers to exercise caution at all times as there are no freeways in Botswana.
This follows four different road mishaps, which occurred on Saturday, and claimed four lives, while five people sustained injuries and are currently hospitalised.
Montshiwa confirmed that they are investigating the four deaths that happened in different locations in Gaborone and surrounding areas.
“On early Saturday morning past midnight, we received a report in which cars collided by Segoditshane traffic lights and claimed a life. The accident claimed the life of the national executive committee member, Kgatleng region chairperson and vice chairperson of Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Clifford Mogomotsi.
“We do not know what really happened, but investigations into the matter are ongoing to establish what really transpired. We suspect that one of the drivers failed to obey the traffic lights, but our investigation team is currently busy to establish what really happened,” Montshiwa said.
He went on to say that on the same night they recorded another fatal accident in which a pedestrian was hit by a car near the fire department at North Gate Mall. He said it looks like the deceased was trying to cross the road when he met his fate.
“Police investigations are ongoing to establish what really transpired. The deceased’s names are still withheld until we have notified all of his next of kin,” he said.
Montshiwa went on to state that they are also investigating another fatal accident that claimed the life of another pedestrian at Tsabong bars at Tsolamosese location in Mogoditshane on Saturday night.
“Even in this accident investigations are ongoing to establish the cause. All we currently know is that the car hit a woman who was rushed to the hospital where she was certified dead on arrival at Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) by the doctors,” Montshiwa said.
Montshiwa said they are investigating another accident, which occurred on Saturday night along A1 road by Glen Valley BDF camp turn off that claimed one life.
“The cars in this accident are badly damaged. We do not know what really transpired, but investigations into matter are ongoing. It looks like the car that was heading north was trying to turn into Glen Valley BDF camp when it collided with the one that was heading south from the northern side.
The other driver is seriously injured and is currently hospitalised at PMH.”
Montshiwa added that they are investigating yet another accident, which occurred at Boatle, in which cars collided and three people were seriously injured and are currently hospitalised at PMH and Gaborone Private Hospital (GPH) respectively.
“It looks like the other driver was trying to overtake and the two cars collided. The other car was heading south whilst the other was heading to the north. We are concerned by drivers who drive at high speed and those who overtake without taking due care,” he said.