Molepolole in the grip of murder spree
Four murder cases have been reported in Molepolole, the capital of Kweneng district, since the beginning of the year. Police statistics show that 87 cases of threat to kill were reported from January to October last year. Molepolole Police Station Commander Superintendent Lebani Burns, who joined the police station last year November from Charleshill Police Station – said the majority of the cases came from women who had come to report their intimate partners. Supt. Burns complained about the ‘rowdy’ behaviour’ shown by some of the villagers, especially youthful men. “Most of them are just angry. They need serious education on how to maintain relationships. They forget that relationships have their own ups and downs”. However the brutal killings do not just happen between lovers. “Here I work 24/7,” Supt. Burns said of his frustration, adding, “If we were in church, we would be saying some men here should go for deliverance”. January Ipelegeng woman killed A Molwane man stabbed his girlfriend to death with a knife. She was on her way to work with friends when he ambushed her and killed her. They were both under 30. He is reported to have been jealous and accused her of cheating. He would later kill himself. February Burnt body discovered on V-day Herdman in Molepolole discovered a burnt human body whilst looking for cattle in the bush at Ratotoboro ward on Valentine’s Day. He discovered a heap of burnt circular wires, but upon scrutiny, he found burnt human bones underneath. The shocked man ran to the police station to report the incident. Superintendent Lebani Burns said they suspect it is a female body. “It showed that six tyres were used to burn the body, but fortunately the body was covered on the face with a t-shirt and the fire did not affect the face that much”. He explained that a bright nail polish was discovered on the toe nails, which led him to believe it was a woman’s body. He told The Midweek Sun this week that they have remanded the perpetrator. “He had given her a lift from Molepolole to Gaborone. They didn’t know each other. Our suspicion is that he raped her, but he is denying it”. She was 28, he is 26. Man kills ex-girlfriend at work Kabo Motlhabane 35, who allegedly stabbed to death his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend Boipelo Mpolokang at Borakalalo ward in Molepolole last week Friday was found and arrested on Sunday. Supt. Burns said he was in the company of his friends and they were fueling their car at Engen filling station around 9pm. He stabbed her several times in full view of her colleagues. The incident happened around 8am when the deceased, who was an Ipelegeng employee, had just reported for work at Borakalalo kgotla. Motlhabane was arraigned on Monday and has since been remanded. He is expected back in court on March 11. Burns also confirmed that the deceased’s daughter and some of her close friends had on that fateful day been under police protection because the suspect allegedly threatened them. He said the suspect had two previous murder convictions Attempted murder A man in his early 50s fired three shots at three men he suspected wanted to search him after they found him sleeping in his car along the road at around 5am, according to Supt. Burns but fortunately none got injured. Police are still investigating the matter. Burns said they have since approached the district commissioner to arrange for a Kgotla meeting with Kgosi Kgari Sechele. The purpose is to discuss the social ills in Molepolole.