Dimajwe duo arrested after missing assault victim found buried

Pini Bothoko | Wednesday February 4, 2026 09:34

The suspects, both aged 29, were working as herders in the area at the time of the alleged assault on December 26, 2025.

The victim later disappeared, prompting a missing person report and a police investigation that has now led to the discovery of his buried remains in the bush.

Palapye Assistant Police Station Commander, Assistant Superintendent Goletwa Kethamile, confirmed that a police report was filed on December 30 after the victim’s neighbour became concerned about his whereabouts.

Kethamile said on December 27, the neighbour found the man badly assaulted and inquired what had happened.

The victim allegedly identified the two Dimajwe men as his attackers. He added that the neighbour advised the suspects to take the injured man to the hospital for medical attention.

“According to the neighbour, he never saw the three again after that encounter.

“When the victim did not return, he became worried and reported him missing on December 30,” Kethamile said.

He added that after receiving the report, police launched a search for both the victim and the suspects.

Investigations later revealed that the two men had relocated from the area days after the incident.

Kethamile further stated that on Friday, police established that the suspects were in Tonota, where they were subsequently arrested and brought back to Palapye on Saturday.

Kethamile added that further investigations led police to a spot where the victim’s body had been buried.

“We suspect that the two killed and buried him after they were advised to take him to the hospital. His remains were found in a decomposed state,” he said.

According to the station head, the deceased was reportedly living near the Mmalenakana dumping site and is believed to be a foreign national, as residents were unable to establish his country of origin.

'A post-mortem examination was conducted at the scene. Following consultations with the village leadership and due to the advanced state of decomposition, a decision was taken to bury the remains [of the deceased] as soon as possible.

'The burial took place on Saturday night at around 10pm,' Kethamile said.

He said police have since attempted to trace the deceased’s family without success.

“We have been trying to locate his relatives since the report was made, but we have hit a snag. He is believed to have been a foreigner in the area, though it is not clear where he came from,” he added.

The two suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.