UB student almost drowns

LERATO MALEKE
Correspondent | Thursday October 18, 2012 00:00

 

It is understood that the third year student studying Physical Education was in swimming classes with others but was left behind in the pool. A UB employee who was said to be in charge of the swimming pool prevented students from giving information about the incident. She prevented access to the pool and told Mmegi to ask no questions.  A UB employee, Martin Mokgwathi said he knew nothing and he was not in a position to talk to  the media. He said he was still waiting for a report from the life guard and he was not exactly sure when it would be availed to him. 'I can't say when you should exactly come to my office and I don't even know when the report will be ready,' he said.  It is reported that life guards at the pool only show up during emergencies. There was no life guard when the student nearly drowned.  'And that is exactly why the student left the pool in a critical condition because there was no one experienced to rescue him at the time of the incident,' one of the students said.

The water in the UB pool is smelly and is not conducive for swimming. Students say they are not aware that life guards are engaged by the university to man the swimming pool.The commander of Central Police Station in Gaborone, Kevin Mookodi said the incident was not reported to them. 'A o sule?' he asked.

The director of Public Affairs at UB, Mhitshane Reetsang confirmed that a third year student nearly drowned.However, she said the student is in stable condition at hospital. 'We are happy that doctors struggled to save his life,' said Reetsang. She said investigations are still ongoing as it is not clear what caused the accident.

She explained that they still have to establish how long the student spent in the water. She regretted the incident and said students' safety comes first.  She said a lecturer was present when the student almost drowned. She maintained that the university has life guards who are always at the pool side. She said when life guards are not available at the pool, they put up a notice that the facility should not be used.