Khama defends the ban on music festivals
Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday September 19, 2017 16:21
Speaking during the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) South West region meeting here on Friday, Khama said the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng will continue to engage with industry players to ensure there is safety at local festivals. “An injury to one is an injury to all.
We cannot take for granted that one life has been lost at the event. To us that is a big loss and we have to be accountable to control any lawlessness to avoid further damage,” said Khama.
He said while Olopeng would not bring any new guidelines, the minister would ensure that the old ones are adhered to.
He said to ensure safety, search for weapons and drugs should be done at the entrance and also selling of tickets should not be done at the entrance so as to avoid overcrowding. The President added that law enforcement should also be intensified at the festivals.
Following the stampede at the GIMC festival where a 22-year-old University of Botswana student was crashed to death two weeks ago, a Presidential order was issued to ban, with immediate effect, all music festivals at all stadia and other public places.
It was reported that a third year Business Management student, Nametso Bogopa of Ratholo, was found dead at the entrance gate of the National Stadium where the festival was held.