The fuming mother of a boy who was brutally flogged for
breaking COVID-19 regulations by not wearing a mask in public has threatened
legal action.
Botswana made wearing of face mask in public compulsory to
control the spread of corona virus and imposed a maximum fine of P5 000,
imprisonment or both for anybody caught without a mask outside.
Last month, police during their patrol at Mahetlwe village
tried to stop four boys riding a donkey cart but failed as the teenagers
continued with their journey to the cattle post.
However the police managed to identify the boys and went to
their house the following day and summoned two of the suspects, aged 21 and 16
to the kgotla where they were charged for not wearing masks in public.
The other two, had travelled back to Gaborone, The Voice
has learnt.
At the Kgotla one of the officers read Covid- 19
regulations and penalties for the offenders and then instructed the deputy
village chief, Bathusi Maroane to whip the boys on their bare backs.
Speaking to The Voice in an interview, the boy’s mother
Leah Rankhubidu said it was a harsh punishment and what hurt her most was that
parents were not called during trial of a minor child.
She went on to argue that corporal punishment was not
listed on the punishment for breaking Covid-19 rules.
“My aunt was at home. The least they could have done was to
ask her to be part of the hearing since the boy is a minor. I wonder which law
they were using to brutally whip my son? When the child returned home, my
brother went with him to confront the police and when they got there they were
charged P200 each for failing to practice social distancing. My son was
punished twice. That is child abuse and my son was traumatised,” said
Rankhubidu.
Following the whipping the family took the boy to a doctor
who has since written a report to be used to lodge a case of child abuse
against village headman. Voice
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