Councillor entangled in missing boy's saga
Born in 1987, Xao Xoma of Qangwa village, has been missing for close to a decade. The last time his family saw him was back in 2015.
According to his brother, Tswelelo Xoma (33), the last time they saw Xao, was when Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Councillor for Xaixai-Qangwa ward Lelejwang Sokwe took him away saying he intends to help with Xao’s ailing health.
“At the time, my brother was not well. It seemed he was suffering from mental problems. He was just a small boy at that time aged 16 or 17. He was a student at Maun Senior Secondary School.
“But his health deteriorated with time and Councillor Sokwe came to us saying he is taking my brother to Moria in South Africa, the home of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members,” Tswelelo says.
It is alleged that Sokwe and Xao then took off for Moria only for Sokwe to return days later without Xao.
“He told us that he had left Xao in South Africa in the care of his relatives (Sokwe). About three months later, we received news that Xao was missing. That was the last time we heard anything about him,” the brother says.
At that time, Sokwe was vying for the councillor seat that he is currently holding.
Tswelelo tells The Midweek Sun that the matter was reported to the police and to date, nothing has been heard regarding his brother. They are not sure if he is still out there or dead.
What makes it worse is that they cannot tell with certainty if indeed Xao was ever taken to South Africa by Sokwe.
“We have nothing, not even his passport to prove that indeed he crossed the border or not. The police have been investigating this issue for a very long time, we have nothing but Sokwe’s word,” Tswelelo laments.
He says they have tried in the past to look for his brother as pain continued to eat at them but what they received instead is more misery. It has been death after death at their home.
“My father Xomae Damo went to South Africa to look for Xao only to return home a sick man. He died a few months later. My elder brother, sister and three of my younger sisters are also no more,” he says.
His father Damo and mother Kvadu Xomae, had a total of nine children. What it means is that from a family of 11, parents included, five children and their father are dead while one son remains missing.
“It is only four of us now including our mother. I was the fourth born but have now assumed the 1st born title of the family. I have two younger siblings who live with our mother,” Tswelelo explains.
He says his mother is unable to cope with the unbearable pain that has befallen the family – of not knowing the whereabouts of Xao.
Councillor Sokwe was not impressed when reached for comment.
“Who is peddling lies about me? Tell me because I need to sue them. I am tired of this. People want to tarnish my name. There are people who are after me as elections approach,” Sokwe lashed out.
He added that as far as he is concerned, the matter has been dealt with.
“This issue dates from as far as 2014, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was once involved in that matter. I have met with the family and it has been agreed amicably that the child will return home if he ever returns,” he said.
The Councillor added that it is not true that he has abandoned the family saying he is always with them in the village and they have never shown that they are not happy with him. He is convinced that some people deliberately seek to ruin him.
Gumare Deputy Station Commander Jerry Sabata was unable to comment on the matter saying Officer Commanding, District 17 Victor Nlebesi was better placed to comment on the issue.
On Monday this week, Nlebesi said he was held up in meetings and that he be reached the next day.
"I cannot help you with the information you need," said Nlebesi when reached on Tuesday.
Meanwhile reliable information from BPS insiders suggests that the Xao case is a sensitive and complicated one.
They say investigations have indeed been conducted but those who handled the matter and even travelled to South Africa at one point, have since died.
Other officers who once worked on the matter have also retired hence it is not easy to get information on the Xao case.