Throat attack survivor found murdered
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:06
Atshabeng was found murdered at his home in Molepolole on September 20, barely three weeks after being discharged from hospital, where he had spent two weeks recovering from a horrific knife attack.
The senior army officer, who was stationed at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) in Mogoditshane, was reportedly discovered by his wife lying in a pool of blood, with a deep wound to the back of his head, believed to have been inflicted with a blunt object.
His throat was also allegedly slashed again, reopening the wound from the previous attack.
Atshabeng was laid to rest at his home village of Molepolole on Sunday as police continue investigations into his gruesome killing.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised disturbing questions, particularly given that he had survived a previous attack last month.
On August 12, 2026, Atshabeng reportedly collapsed at the entrance of the BDF clinic at SSKB, Mogoditshane, after arriving with a deep cut to his throat. He was unable to speak and was immediately rushed to Bokamoso Private Hospital in critical condition.
He remained hospitalised for two weeks before being discharged, whilst police investigated the knife attack.
During investigations, Atshabeng reportedly told police that he had spent the night drinking alcohol at Block 6 in Gaborone before offering a lift to a man he did not know.
However, what appeared to be an ordinary act of kindness allegedly turned into a horrifying ordeal when the passenger attacked him with a knife and slit his throat.
Despite his serious injuries, the Lieutenant Colonel managed to drive himself to the BDF clinic, where he collapsed at the entrance.
His survival was a remarkable escape from death. But barely weeks after leaving hospital, he was brutally killed at his Molepolole residence.
The two attacks have fuelled speculation amongst members of the public that the person who allegedly slit his throat in August could be connected to his murder.
However, police have yet to establish whether the two incidents are linked. Meanwhile, the identity and motive of the killer remain unknown.
The killing has sparked widespread shock and speculation, with many questioning why anyone would target the senior army officer twice in such a brutal manner.
No.11 District Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent Kitsiso Lemogang, confirmed that police are investigating the matter, saying the scene suggested that the deceased had been attacked and murdered.
He said a team of investigators was currently interviewing Atshabeng's family members and friends in an effort to establish the circumstances surrounding his death, identify the suspected killer(s), and determine the motive behind the attack. 'There is no breakthrough yet on who could be behind his death, but our investigators are working around the clock to make one,' he said.
For now, investigators face the daunting task of uncovering who killed Atshabeng and whether his previous attacker had returned to finish what he ‘started’.
As his family and loved ones mourn his untimely death, the nation is left with disturbing questions: Was the August attack a warning of what was to come, or was his murder an entirely separate crime? Nonetheless, police are continuing their investigations.
Lieutenant Colonel Atshabeng was born on April 4, 1973 on April and joined the Public Service as a Mathematics teacher in 1992.
He went on to continue his studies in Mechanical Engineering at Botswana Polytechnic in 1993. Atshabeng was later employed by ARAP Botswana in Gaborone.
He was recruited by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in 1998 as an Officer Cadet. After military training in 1999, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and served in the Corps of Armament Services.
He underwent Platoon Commander training in 2001 and was promoted to Lieutenant. From 2002 to 2005, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Integrated Manufacturing at Jackson State University in the United States of America.
Atshabeng was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2006, and in 2009 he attended the Junior Command and Staff Course. He was promoted to Major in 2013, and in 2018 he attended the Defence Command and Staff Course.
In 2019, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for dedicated service to the Botswana Defence Force.
He did the Senior Leaders Weapons and Ammunition Accountability and Management Course in 2019 in Kenya.
In 2025, Atshabeng was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The deceased leaves behind his wife and three children. He is also survived by his mother and seven siblings.