POLICE NOT TALKING

The grieving family of Motlotlegi Aubrey Mongale who was shot to death by the police in September 2022 has had it with Botswana Police Services (BPS) officers.The family does not understand what the law enforcement officers could be ‘hiding’ or ‘avoiding’ but for them to have to wait for more than four months without a report detailing the events that led to the death of their son, is unbearable.They have been told that Motlotlegi died during a shootout with the police and that two firearms, explosives, false motor vehicle registration number plates, hand gloves and house breaking implements were found in his possession.However, to this day, the police have not been able to show the family the things alleged to have been found in the deceased’s possession. The family says Motlotlegi was killed while at a lodge in Gaborone Block 6 and they were told a Honda Fit car was found at the lodge and suspected to have been his but to this day, the police have not shown them the car.Motlotlegi’s sister, Kaone Mongale told this publication on Tuesday that they are being tossed around by the police. Even alleging that some officers are not even speaking to them at the moment because the family keeps pestering them for information.All they are getting now is that the case is still under investigation.“We were taken to a lodge and shown the room where the shootout is alleged to have happened. Once there, we saw only one bullet hole on the floor but my brother’s body had four bullet wounds, on the ankle, thigh, chest and head,” said Kaone, adding that though they were under heavy escort when shown the crime scene, she checked the house for bullet holes, even opened wardrobes, checked doors, furniture but everything seemed intact.“This is one of the reasons why we need that report, so that we are able to understand how my brother died. Where are the guns that were said to be in his possession, he shot at who and how?“We know he was in the company of a woman, that woman has mysteriously disappeared, where is she? And if the police managed to safely take the lady out of the room why did they not arrest my brother? Why did the shooting only happen after she was safely taken out of the room?” she asked.Kaone said that his brother was not an angel, he had his own sins but they had expected the police to sit them down and explain in detail what they meant when they said her brother was wanted for sophisticated crimes such as ATM blasting and theft among others.These are the questions that the family has and wish BPS can assist in providing answers or at least provide a report.A few days back, Motlotlegi’s mother Mmaletsatsi Mongale publicly poured her heart out in a four-page press release, detailing what she knows about how her son got killed.She is not a happy woman!She firmly believes that her son was murdered, that he did not die in a shootout as alleged, thus she is calling for any form of help. They do not have money to pay for legal fees but wish those willing can assist anyhow they can. The family has vowed that no matter how long it takes, one day 'the truth' will come out.When reached, BPS spokesperson Dipheko Motube flatly refused to discuss the matter repeatedly saying, “I will not discuss that matter.”When pressed further and asked if the police ever assist grieving families with information on how their loved ones died under similar circumstances, the police boss said he will not be tricked into providing information to journalists when he does not want to.

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POLICE NOT TALKING