Beware of carjackers at hiking spots

MARANAYNE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Thursday April 1, 2010 00:00

Botswana Police Spokesperson, Dipheko Motube told Mmegi yesterday that there are car hijackers who pretend to be asking for lifts on different bus stops and have been doing that for a long time. 

'There are hot spots that we have identified.  They are normally in Taung, Sebele filling station, Gabane Junction, Tsolamosese, Mogoditshane, Kanye road and Metsimotlhabe,' he revealed. 

He, however, promised that Botswana police working together with  Botswana Defence Force patrol teams  will be patrolling these spots to help prevent cases of car hijacks and other criminal activities.   'We will be there in our uniforms as a measure to prevent crime and there are also those officers who will not be in uniforms to arrest those suspected of engaging in criminal activity,' he said. 

The police will also be patrolling in villages to ensure security, as most people will be going away for holidays.  

He promised that they would mount roadblocks on all major roads to reduce road accidents during holidays.  He said that in 2008 they recorded 211 road accidents and eight deaths from accidents, while last year they recorded 192 road accidents resulting in 10 deaths.  He advised the public to work together with security companies and to utilise the 'Ntebele Ke Go Lebele' campaign.