SHOT DEAD

Two Batswana males Tshepiso Serumola (30) and 35 year-old Thapelo Rasepatela were fatally shot in an exchange of fire with the Police at Tladi cattlepost near Taupye village last week Thursday.

The incident occurred when the police intercepted the suspects who were believed to be in possession of illicit drugs. The suspects are well-known throughout Mahalapye village due to their previous shoe cleaning business in front of Maeto hotel in Madiba ward.

However, some people remain adamant that the main drug lord is still at large and believe he is roaming the streets unharmed.

According to a press release signed by Botswana Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Dipheko Motube, upon confrontation, one of the suspects disembarked from the vehicle they were travelling in and an exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the fatal shooting of two suspects whilst the other two fled.

Two pistols, two knives and 100kg of substance suspected to be dagga were found in their possession. Police investigations into the matter continues.

Residents of Mahalapye expressed mixed feelings about the shooting. One Keit Serumola said the two deceased used to clean shoes well, that they should have focused on the shoe business than drugs.

Lesego Dilelo said this incident is only testament that sometimes one may try hard in life, doing their best, however, it still gets hard. "May your soul rest in peace, cousin," said.

Pompo Mokganedi, another resident of Mahalapye, had a shocking memory of Tshepiso Serumola.

"This guy was at Madiba in 2011 doing Form Four. He once came to sit next to me at lunch and put a knife to my neck, demanding a piece of meat I had. I gave it to him, and I have never forgotten him since. RIP."

Another, Abigail Smith believes that a drug lord escaped death while innocent people he had been using to sell drugs were killed by the police.

"Uhu, go riana Proper, yoo rekisang dizolo ke ene a ne a tsaya bana ba ya dikatseng, ene ka o botLhale a bo a sia? Bana bone ba sala ba bolawa," she said. She warned that Botswana is a small country and that the drug lord will eventually be arrested for his actions.

Mpho Marumo said it is hard to believe the incident, noting that Tshepiso Serumola's death hit them hard. They had thought of him as a hustler, running his shoe business.