Murdered boyfriend was a ‘prisoner in his own prison house’-friend

Social media went into frenzy this week when news broke out that a woman from Serowe, Kefilwe Annastacia Motladiile, aged between 23 and 29, had stabbed her boyfriend, Moses Setabi to death last Sunday. Reacting to the incident, some women opined that it is a result of the abuse that women are suffering at the hands of men while their male counterparts countered that Motladiile could have been an abusive and controlling girlfriend. “She acted like someone who had had enough of being mistreated. Or she wanted to defend herself that day,” said one. A friend of Motlaadile told The Midweek Sun that Motladiile and her boyfriend, Moses Setabi used to fight over his baby-mama. She said that even though the deceased was in love with Motladiile, he had a habit of flirting with the mother of his child, something that always hurt Motladiile. “He loved Motladiile but was secretly entertaining his ex-girlfriend,” she said. Setabi’s colleagues describe him as humble, neat and warm. One of his co-Prison officers said Motladiile never wanted him to go out without her. “He was in prison in his own prison house,” he said, adding however that the couple wore a united and happy face when seen together. According to a psychologist student at University of Botswana Doreen Tsimako, the Serowe murder is an indication that women can no longer take the abuse from men. She said women have been enduring painful acts of abuse at the hands of men including sexual abuse, emotional abuse and being killed. “No one is willing to protect them and they have been harbouring anger and pain far too long. They are fighting back,” she said. She stated that women are most deadly when abused. “A woman can keep quiet about inner pain for a long time. When she finally decides to leave, she leaves. And when she forgives, she forgives. But now, the ongoing ‘passion killings’ are making them go into an aggressive self-defence mode,” she said. She however said this should speak to policy makers to prioritise what needs to be done to prevent crimes of passion. Alleged murderer in police custody Serowe Police are holding Motladiile in custody in connection with the stabbing of her boyfriend. She is suspected to have caused the death of her boyfriend by stabbing him with a knife. Serowe Police Station Commander Superintendent Molefhe Molefhe told The Midweek Sun that the incident was reported to them on Sunday between 6pm and 7pm. He confirmed that Setabi, who hails from the North East of Botswana, was a prison officer at Serowe Prisons and resided in the Prison’s quarters. He is between the ages of 31 and 35. The woman is from Rakgomo ward in Serowe. “They were staying together at Prison’s quarters and they had a misunderstanding that Sunday evening. Their neighbor informed us of the incident upon seeing the man running from the house bleeding and screaming. He was holding his stomach,” said Superintendent. Molefhe, adding that Setabi was certified dead upon arrival at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital. Motladiile is said to have run away after stabbing her boyfriend, but was arrested that same night. She is expected to appear at Serowe Magistrate Court today (Wednesday). Molefhe advised couples to seek third party intervention when having challenges in their relationships. “Relationships are full of ups and downs, but when the pressure is unbearable, talk to your friends, social workers, parents or pastors instead of keeping pain and anger inside,” he said.