Africa-Press – Botswana. The New Year’s Eve celebrations in Botswana were marred by legal transgressions at the Bridgeway bar, which operated beyond the legally permitted hours. In an announcement by Serowe police superintendent, Poloko Oteng, the bar owners are facing multiple charges. These include not only operating past the allowed time—until midnight instead of the 10pm closing time—but also causing noise and nuisance, and aiding and abetting another person to commit a crime.
A Night of Charges and Exceptions
The festive atmosphere was further dampened as nine individuals were charged with loitering and disorderly conduct. Interestingly, the police noticed that some people remained outdoors beyond the curfew due to heavy rainfall, and made an exception by allowing them to stay in their vehicles while waiting for the weather to clear.
Gratitude Amidst Transgressions
In a note of appreciation, Superintendent Oteng expressed gratitude to the bar owners who complied with the closing time directive. Yet, these events unfolded amidst a broader context of ensuring public order during holiday celebrations. The Jwaneng Police station commander, Superintendent Thuso Basuti, reported that bar owners in Botswana were being hunted for a break-in, with stolen goods worth P20,000.
Crime Rates During Festive Season
Despite these instances, the festive season saw fewer criminal cases compared to the previous year. The police had recorded only one criminal case during the festive season, in contrast to five cases in 2022. Basuti also mentioned that people were generally well-behaved and cooperative with the police during the festive celebrations.
In conclusion, these incidents underscore the importance of law enforcement and cooperation from the public in maintaining order during festive celebrations. They also highlight the role of media outlets like Mmegi, Botswana’s leading independent news source, in providing uninterrupted news coverage to its readers through various platforms.
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