Police officers escorting trucks claim ill-treatment
A number of police officers engaged in escorting trucks coming into the country have complained of unfair treatment.
Speaking to The Voice on condition of anonymity, the officers, who are housed at Otse College, listed a number of complaints they claim their bosses are aware of but have failed to address.
The fed-up cops say their biggest grievance is that they have been isolated from their families ever since the Covid-19 enforced operation of escorting trucks into Botswana began in April.
“In the eight months we have been accommodated at Otse College, we have been denied visits to see our loved ones!” grumbled one of the group, thought to number around 50 in total.
Another complaint is that they claim not to have been remunerated for working outside their stations of duty.
“When you go for a trip there is money that you are given but with us we don’t know why it is different. Our lives are at risk because of the people we interact with on a daily basis but it looks like our bosses are not seeing that!”
The officers further complained that despite coming into contact with high-risk truck drivers, some of whom test positive for Coronavirus, their health status does not seem to be a priority.
“I don’t know whether they think we are immune from the disease. We only get tested after a long time despite the conditions we work under.”
The officers also noted the food they are served has left a bad taste.
“They give us cold ‘takeaways’ without even asking us what we want to eat. It is like we are in prison!”
Meanwhile, when contacted on the allegations, Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner, Dipheko Motube refused to comment.
“As an institutional organisation, we have a system in place in which such matters are handled. The media is not part of that. With that said, I cannot comment,” explained Motube.
