At least nine people died in separate road accidents recorded during the just ended Good Friday and Easter Holidays (28/03/13 to 1/04/13), compared to six who died during last year’s Good Friday and Easter holidays.

A total of 36 sustained serious injuries in the 205 road accidents reported during this year’s holidays, compared to 39 seriously injured in the 201 accidents recorded in 2012.

Of the 537 motorists tested for drunk driving, 124 were found to be above the required alcohol limit, compared to the 320 tested last year which resulted in 102 testing above the required alcohol limit. A total of 1164 motorists were also charged for over-speeding, compared to 1313 charged last year. Again 462 motorists were charged for driving without driver’s licence, compared to 353 charged last year. 148 were charged for careless driving, compared to 95 charged last year.

In one of the accidents that occurred on 29/03/13, two people died when a public service bus they were travelling in veered off the road and hit an animal control fence near Mmashoro along Serowe/Orapa road. The bus which was from Gaborone to Maun was carrying 77 passengers. Police investigations are continuing.

The police also recorded four murder cases, compared to two reported last year, 28 rape cases, compared to 40 cases last year, 32 house breakings and theft cases, compared to 59 last year and nine robbery cases, compared to 41 last year.

Meanwhile, police are also investigating an incident in which a 50 year old man of Metlojane and a 30 year old man of Molepolole drowned in the Mmakgodumo dam during baptism exercise on the 31/03/13. The bodies of the two were retrieved from the dam through the help of the Botswana Police scuba divers.

The Botswana police would like to thank members of the public, especially motorists for their cooperation at various police road blocks and at other police operations.