Lobatse: The besieged town
Mpho Mokwape | Monday July 18, 2022 06:00
The family of the slain little child, Tlotso, say they are still reeling in shock as to who murdered their child and that as far as things are unfolding, they are still in the dark. They demanded for their space to focus on mourning their slain child.
Tlotso was reported missing on March 18, 2022 following his disappearance without trace after failing to return home from school and slightly two weeks ago his search came to an end when the police announced that they had recovered his bones and that a DNA test had confirmed his identity.
Following the arraignment and remand of the alleged killer, his stepfather Lovemore Sithole on Tuesday at the Lobatse Magistrate’s Court, Mmegi crew made a trip to Tlotso’s family homestead to find out how they were fairing since the announcement that their child was no more.
When the Mmegi team arrived at the family homestead after taking a trip to the town of Lobatse that had calmed down after residents demonstrated during and after court proceedings demanding for answers, the family was engrossed in a meeting. Lobatse had earlier witnessed masses that had thronged the Lobatse Magistrate’s Court spreading into the town singing, “We want Tlotso! We want Tlotso!” They were even carrying placards inscribed “We want Tlotso!” Whilst people were concerned about Tlotso’s death, they just carried their concerns in a civilised manner.
The presence of the Mmegi team made the family uneasy and the team’s welcome was met with reluctance though one could tell the family had more to say.
The family ,who in one collective voice made it clear that they do not want to be photographed nor named, said they have little to say as they are still in the dark pertaining to the ongoing investigations of their child.
“As you can see we are still in a meeting trying to make sense of what has been happening and come to terms with the loss of our child so we wont be giving you much,” said one family member. Moreover, the family was very skeptical about the publication’s presence saying if we were with the police, maybe they could open up implying that they have been asked either allegedly by the police or someone in higher authority to avoid talking to the media. The family went on to say they have been seeing a lot of information circulating on different media platforms referenced to them when they have not granted any publication an interview except saying what is already public knowledge. “Right now, we might talk to you thinking we are doing the right thing as we are just lost and confused and the police might feel we are sharing sensitive news and question how they should help us if it seems like we are sabotaging their efforts,” said the family.
In another interview with a member of the public who has been very instrumental in Tlotso’s search, Abdal Rapula Badat who stood for elections in 2019 general election as an independent candidate, said the situation in Lobatse has been getting tense but they have called for calm from members of the public so that they can allow the law to take its course.
“Residents of Lobatse please let’s be calm and we promise that all involved in Tlotso’s murder will be brought to book. Let’s trust that the police are not covering anything up and they will bring justice to the bereaved family,” he said. On the unfolding events of Tlotso being declared recovered and dead and the stepfather being accused, he said it was evident that Sithole has decided to go down alone and stay in jail as he has so far refused to cooperate with the police and talk.
Badat said it is the public that only knows that Sithole is accused of murder but there has been rumours that he only did the kidnapping and allegedly sold the child for P200, 000 and that it has still not come to light as to who was sold the child and for what. “As the public we want to know who authorised the kidnapping and who bought the child to be slaughtered like that. The stepfather is not being honest as if he has been sworn to secrecy. If the police are not covering for anyone; it seems he has decided to go down alone,” he said. He pointed out that he had a talk with the family and Tlotso’s mother with a proposal to do the DNA testing in South Africa to come with concrete conclusions. He said the public has been skeptical about the DNA testing done by the police, which has cast doubt on the authenticity of them therefore it would ease the public’s tension if the results are the same with that of the police. “We are not saying we are 100% sure but it seems there has been a cover up with the police and it would have been better if the family also get help to get private tests. If at all there is a cover up by the police then there would be trouble in Lobatse,” he said.
Meanwhile, the case was postponed to July 27, 2022 as the matter is still at its initial investigations.