[5] According to Manuel Olifant, a former policeman involved in the raid, the SADF readied around 50 tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets in Zeerust for use if Botswana retaliated, but they were not used.
To prevent retaliation from the BDF, the raiding party cut telephone lines to the local barracks and spread metal tacks on roads to flatten tires of pursuing vehicles.
[4] The South African apartheid government forces completely destroyed four residences and severely damaged another four and seized documents, arms, and a computer.
Muff Andersson, a former member of MK, said that instead of attacking legitimate military targets, the SADF arbitrarily picked sympathisers of the ANC's anti-apartheid struggle to "teach them a lesson".
Viljoen further stated that the soldiers used megaphones to urge the residents of Gaborone to hide in their houses while the raid occurred and that they "obtained good cooperation" from Botswanan officials, who they asked not to interfere.
"[14] Major General Mompati Merafhe, the head of the BDF, called a press conference shortly after the raid to address rumours that the Botswanan government was warned of the attack but took no action.
[4] He rejected these allegations and stated that the BDF had responded to the raid by establishing roadblocks between Gaborone and the border in an attempt to cutoff the South Africans' escape.
[15] He also stated that the BDF did not have enough personnel to effective guard the large border with South Africa and that the army would review its strategies for dealing with raids.
[2] Despite its failure to stop the raid, the BDF was largely spared criticism for its actions by Botswanan officials, who instead focused their anger on South Africa.