HORROR SCENE
The quiet village of Kgomokasitwa was turned into a scene of horror on Tuesday when a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Lance Corporal, 34-year-old Moagi Mokomeng, allegedly gunned down three members of the Ramolala family before setting their dead bodies on fire.
The suspect, once considered a close family friend, is accused of fatally shooting 69-year-old Elizabeth Mosadinyana Ramolala, 16-year-old Katlego Lelentle Ramolala, and a seven-year-old minor at their home in Borite ward.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun, the deceased’s 31-year-old son, Tebatso Donald Ramolala, who was visibly shaken, revealed that the family is living in fear, believing that Mokomeng had the intention of killing all of them.
“We trusted him. He was like family to us. He did everything a real family member would do in our home,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
He alleged that Mokomeng had raped a 15-year-old family member in December 2023, but they never suspected him at the time.
The suspect was recently served with court papers summoning him to appear at Lobatse Magistrate’s Court on March 5th for the rape case.
“I believe that is what triggered him, he was on duty at Glen Valley BDF camp when he allegedly took a gun used for patrols and smuggled it out to murder my family,” Tebatso said.
A 13-year-old boy managed to survive by hiding beside a bed during the attack. The village is struggling to come to terms with the brutal killings.
When The Midweek Sun arrived at the scene, the Ramolala home had been reduced to a pile of charred ruins, barricaded by blue and white police tape.
Villagers stood in shock, whispering about how Mokomeng had once been part of the family. “He should have at least spared the house for the children,” one resident murmured.
An eyewitness, who watched the entire incident unfold from her window, recalled how the suspect borrowed matches from a neighbour while carrying petrol.
“I was shaking in fear as I saw him light the fire,” she said.
Before setting the house ablaze, Mokomeng allegedly fired gunshots into the air, shot at the family van, and injured a police officer who lived nearby.
A family elder, Boitumelo Ntoko, collapsed three times after hearing the tragic news while at her home in Molapowabojang.
“I could not stand on my own. Elizabeth was a sweet and kind person. it is unbelievable,” she said.
Elizabeth had dedicated her life to education, having worked at Kutlo and Marenyane Primary Schools in Kanye.
The Botswana Police Service and BDF have launched a massive manhunt for Mokomeng, deploying helicopters and security forces across Kgomokasitwa.
Confirming the incident, Botswana Police Spokesperson Near Bagali stated that no arrest has been made yet, and that an accomplice remains at large.
The suspect, once considered a close family friend, is accused of fatally shooting 69-year-old Elizabeth Mosadinyana Ramolala, 16-year-old Katlego Lelentle Ramolala, and a seven-year-old minor at their home in Borite ward.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun, the deceased’s 31-year-old son, Tebatso Donald Ramolala, who was visibly shaken, revealed that the family is living in fear, believing that Mokomeng had the intention of killing all of them.
“We trusted him. He was like family to us. He did everything a real family member would do in our home,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
He alleged that Mokomeng had raped a 15-year-old family member in December 2023, but they never suspected him at the time.
The suspect was recently served with court papers summoning him to appear at Lobatse Magistrate’s Court on March 5th for the rape case.
“I believe that is what triggered him, he was on duty at Glen Valley BDF camp when he allegedly took a gun used for patrols and smuggled it out to murder my family,” Tebatso said.
A 13-year-old boy managed to survive by hiding beside a bed during the attack. The village is struggling to come to terms with the brutal killings.
When The Midweek Sun arrived at the scene, the Ramolala home had been reduced to a pile of charred ruins, barricaded by blue and white police tape.
Villagers stood in shock, whispering about how Mokomeng had once been part of the family. “He should have at least spared the house for the children,” one resident murmured.
An eyewitness, who watched the entire incident unfold from her window, recalled how the suspect borrowed matches from a neighbour while carrying petrol.
“I was shaking in fear as I saw him light the fire,” she said.
Before setting the house ablaze, Mokomeng allegedly fired gunshots into the air, shot at the family van, and injured a police officer who lived nearby.
A family elder, Boitumelo Ntoko, collapsed three times after hearing the tragic news while at her home in Molapowabojang.
“I could not stand on my own. Elizabeth was a sweet and kind person. it is unbelievable,” she said.
Elizabeth had dedicated her life to education, having worked at Kutlo and Marenyane Primary Schools in Kanye.
The Botswana Police Service and BDF have launched a massive manhunt for Mokomeng, deploying helicopters and security forces across Kgomokasitwa.
Confirming the incident, Botswana Police Spokesperson Near Bagali stated that no arrest has been made yet, and that an accomplice remains at large.
