Riot police sjambok jobseekers

In the evening, reports suggested at least four journalists covering the case had been arrested, while several protestors had been charged with common nuisance. Long publicised through social media, the demonstration began at the National Assembly at 1400hrs, with a small group. Three police officers arrived on the scene and told the group to go back to a tree across the road from the Main Mall or surrender their placards. However, the jobseekers would not be moved and insisted they be left to stand in front of Parliament as they wanted the legislators to read their messages.

While Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs and ministers passed by without greeting the protestors, opposition legislators such as Phenyo Butale, Isaac Davids, Wynter Mmolotsi, Dithapelo Keorapetse and others, addressed the group before entering the Parliament chambers.