Armed robbers on prowl
Pini Bothoko | Monday January 23, 2023 06:00
As such, people in the area are reported to be now living in constant fear of criminals who continue to torment them in their sleep hence suspecting a syndicate of armed robbers might be on the prowl.
Even though police revealed to have observed a general decline in crime which proceeded the festive season, from November 1st 2022 to January 5th 2023 they recorded a total number of 70 cases of robbery cases, which happened at various places countrywide.
No 2 police district officer commanding, Senior Superintendent Paul Oketsang told Mmegi that they have recorded an increase in armed robbery incidents in the area over the recent years.
He also said despite their determination to be always on the lookout criminals continue invading people’s homes, businesses and stealing valuables and also making away with large sum of money. Oketsang revealed to be currently investigating two armed robbery cases that occurred Wednesday and Thursday early mornings respectively at Radisele and Mhalapitsa in which criminals went away with large sum of money.
He said on Wednesday early morning around 01:20hrs at Radisele village, four masked men attacked and robbed a Chinese business man valuables and undisclosed large sum of money.
“This businessman is currently residing in the village overseeing his project engaged to do water pipe installation. In the process the quartet used force, hit him on the head, tied his hands, legs and proceeded to rob him of a computer, laptop, his wedding ring, P3 000 that was in his wallet and undisclosed large sum of money for the project that was in his possession, ” he said.
He further stated that on Thursday early morning they also recorded a similar case report in which an elder of Mhalapitsa aged 88 was also attacked and robbed an undisclosed large sum of money at his residence. Oketsang said looking at the criminals’ modus operandi they suspect that it might be the same thieves who attacked and robbed a Chinese businessman in Radisele.
However, he disclosed to have launched a manhunt to locate and arrest the suspects who are still at large. Oketsang pleaded with members of the public to alert the nearest police if they can see anyone or people carrying large sum of money or spending money recklessly.
The senior police officer warned the business community and members of the public to be wary of gangs of armed robbers who appear to have mounted a spate of robberies in the area in a new wave that is targeting the business community.
“It looks like armed robbers are on the prowl in my policing area. I am pleading d with the business community to be on the lookout and I discourage them from keeping large sums of money in their possession,” Oketsang said.
Moreover, Oketsang further advised them to consider depositing money at the bank throughout the day to avoid losing large sum of the money to avoid being robbed.
Batswana across social media platforms have been attributing the alarming rise in crime to the country’s high unemployment rate, especially amongst the youth the same age group that is always being identified as the perpetrators.