Murdered Witness Not Linked To CEO Case
Sharon Mathala | Monday February 22, 2016 18:00
The Police do not give state witnesses any protection, the Commissioner of Botswana Police Service, Keabetswe Makgophe told the media on Friday. He said the only time protection can be given is when there was strong evidence that the witness is under threat.
The commissioner’s comments followed an outrage over the brutal attack and killing of an alleged state witness in last year’s murder of Fairground Holdings chief executive office, Michael Montshiwa. On Saturday, scores of mourners gathered in Gaborone to bury Abobakwe Kgwarae, who was attacked and left for dead at Kgale bushes about a fortnight ago. He was said to be a key witness in the case of Montshiwa’s murder.
Kgwarae was beaten to a pulp and sustained head injuries dying a week later in hospital. Tshepo Motlogelwa (37), Kgwarae’s alleged killer, was arrested by the Old Naledi police at his home on Tuesday. He appeared at the Extension 2 Magistrate court on Thursday, facing charges of murder.
Fielding questions from the media on Friday after hosting their annual senior officers conference, Makgophe said there is no reason to worry.
“We do not protect witnesses unless we have strong reason to do so.”
“There is no reason to panic, no witnesses are being killed,” he said.
At his memorial service however, held at the Roman Catholic’s Christ The King Cathedral, Friday evening, amongst the ‘who is who’ who were spotted, discussions were centred around Kgwarae’s death had anything to do with the Montshiwa murder incident.
“Abubaca (Kgwarae) was a key witness in the matter. His statement was critical for the police. I do not believe this was a robbery gone wrong,” said one prominent CEO, who for fear of victimisation cannot be mentioned by name.
But the statement from the BPS reveal that Kgwarae, a married man, was in the company of his girlfriend when the incident happened. The woman is said to have reported the matter to the police, and when they arrived at the scene, she fled. His wife reported him missing Sunday morning before receiving the unfortunate news that he had been attacked. As investigations continue, Kgwarae’s alleged killer is set to appear for mention on March 3.