Low Crime Incidents In F/town Over Independence Holidays

Pini Bothoko | Monday October 5, 2015 11:32

Although they did not have readily available statistics for last year, police hypothetically believe that this year’s independence holidays were very peaceful.

Central police station commander, superintendent Lebalang Maniki and Tatitown police station commander superintendent Cyprian Magalila said the only notable offence they recorded was a single rape case in each area.

The police bosses said both victims were attacked and raped while walking home alone at night from the bars.

Maniki said the rape incident in his policing area, which involved a woman aged between 21-25 happened at Monarch location on Independence Day.

He said the victim claimed  that she was walking home alone from the bar when a middle-aged man who is her neighbour  joined her.

The woman initially thought that the man was merely accompanying her, but he changed tact and allegedly raped her in the bush.

“We received the report at around midnight after the bars were closed and we immediately arrested the suspect who is currently in custody helping us with investigations,” said Maniki.

He added that still in his policing area, but at Phase Five location, there was another incident in which a middle-aged man brutally hit another man with a combi at a playing ground at the end of the Independence holiday’s football games.

Maniki said that the victim sustained serious injuries and is currently hospitalised at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NRH).

He said what is worrying is that the accident occurred away from the main road.

“We do not know what caused the accident yet but we suspect he (driver) might have been celebrating whilst driving, but investigations are still ongoing to establish the exact cause of the accident,” said Maniki.

He said that still at Monarch they recorded two cases of unlawful wounding in which the suspects used sharp objects to stab their victims.

Maniki further said that the Central policing area recorded 19 cases of people who were arrested while drinking alcohol in unauthorised places. He said that they were charged between P100 and P500 as admission of guilt.

“We also recorded two cases of burglary, which occurred in residential places within the town centre. Electronic gadgets like laptops, cellphones were stolen. No one has been arrested in connection with the burglary cases,” said Maniki.

For his part Magalila said that his policing area also recorded a single offence of rape at Marapong village in which a 24-year-old woman was attacked and raped on her way home from a bar the day before Independence.

“The suspect in this matter is still on the run,” he said. He said that Tati Town police also recorded two cases of assault common, one case of malicious damage, one case of bodily harm, a single case of common nuisance and stock theft.

Magalila said that they also had an accident-free holiday, but arrested 19 drivers and charged them for speeding. In addition two drivers were charged for driving without a driver’s licence.

Both police bosses said that crime was low in their areas because of increased police patrols.

Meanwhile, the country’s 49th Independence Day coincided with the birth of nine babies in Francistown. The number was recorded at NRH.

According to NRH’s public relations officer, Shirley Mukamambo, of the nine babies, eight are girls and one boy.