Botswana has issued a travel warning about the volatile situation in neighbouring South Africa, where several towns and cities are under siege from hoards of looters.
The international affairs and cooperation ministry on Tuesday said it, “wishes to advise citizens of the Republic of Botswana to avoid unnecessary travel to some parts of South Africa”.
KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces are under siege. Police assisted by soldiers are faced with brazen looters.
Police have arrested more than 700 suspects in the affected provinces in connection with the looting and public violence. At least 19 people have died in the violence in Johannesburg and 26 others in Durban.
“Batswana who are already in South Africa are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary movements, especially in cities such as Johannesburg and Durban,” said the travel advisory.
“Batswana truck drivers are also advised to consider alternative routes to avoid protest areas.”
The Gaborone travel advisory also warned Batswana to avoid unnecessary travel to Eswatini, where there is civil unrest.
