A beautiful life tragically cut short
Well-known Gaborone socialite and personality Tsholofelo ‘Tebby’ Gasennelwe Ngwakwena (34) met her demise on Wednesday at the hands of her enraged part-time gardener, James Pelosele (25), who killed her in cold blood before handing himself to the police.
Gasenelwe won Survivor Africa in 2006, raising Botswana’s flag high at a time when it was unexpected for a Motswana to win a reality challenge show. The writer, entrepreneur and former journalist endeared herself to many viewers across the continent with her gorgeous smile, petite figure and resilience throughout the show, which included spending several weeks on an island and going through a series of physical and mental endurance challenges.
The beautiful and bubbly Gasennelwe was a celebrated writer, in theatre and print, as well as an entrepreneur. She won the third series of Survivor Africa at the mere age of 24. She was also the youngest contestant of the show, which was shot in Pearl Island, Panama. The contestants had to withstand living in uncomfortable conditions like continuous rains and excruciating heat, looking for their own food, warding off mosquitoes and fleas and sleeping under open skies. Gasennelwe returned home $100 000 richer and an instant celebrity.
Although she has been out of the public spotlight for a few years now, she was active on the social scene and was celebrated as one of the few young Batswana who have given the country international exposure and made the nation proud with their achievements.
Gasennelwe met her untimely demise when the accused had gone to her house in Block 6 at around 11 am, to collect P400 payment for a piece job he had done for her. She informed him that she was going to withdraw cash from the nearest ATM. This did not go down well with the accused. An altercation ensued and Pelosele stabbed Gasennelwe with a table knife. After stabbing her, Pelosele called the Sir Seretse Khama Police to report the murder. He sent the police on a wild goose chase around the Phase 2/Block 6 areas until he was eventually arrested a few hours later.
He then took the police to the crime scene where they found the deceased’s body lying on the ground. The case was then handed over to the Gaborone West police. According Gaborone West Police Station Commander Agreement Mapeu, the body of the deceased was discovered lying in a pool of blood at her house and she was later confirmed dead at Princess Marina Hospital. Investigations into the matter are ongoing and the suspect is due to undergo psychiatric evaluation. Mapeu advised the public to scrutinise who they engage to work in their homes.
He also said that it was important for employers to be cordial with their employees at all times, vice versa, to avoid conflicts. “Always settle the conflicts that may arise between you and that will be beneficial for a good relationship,” he said. Mapeu also cautioned members of the public to never take the law into their own hands. “People should report their grievances to the relevant authorities because we are here to help everyone and maintain peace between people. Please use the existing law of the country and do not be controlled by anger,” he said.
The accused appeared before the Village Magistrate court on Friday but was denied bail by Principal Magistrate Goodwill Makofi under concerns that he may abscond from custody. (Additional reporting by IRENE SHONE)