Police deny involvement in Mechova business

The deputy divisional traffic officer north, Senior Superintendent Pelontle Kesupile dismissed the allegations as untrue describing them as a deliberate campaign to tarnish the image of the police. “I challenge anyone to come forward with information that will implicate the police for operating Mechova to come forward to my office because I will protect their identities. It is my duty to protect whistle blowers because the problem of Mechova is giving us a headache,” said Kesupile. 

Recently, the traffic police branch in Francistown launched ‘Operation Francistown Blue’, which netted 18 taxis operating without permits. The taxis are popularly known as  ‘Mechova’. After the raid, some of the pirate operators told Mmegi that they are emulating police officers who own the majority of illegal taxis and combis. One operator who preferred anonymity for fear of a backlash said that some police officers have hired drivers to operate their illegal taxis.