Botswana, SA headed for showdown over fugitive deportation

Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday January 31, 2017 16:29

Chirunga is also wanted for allegedly obtaining an Omang and passport through dubious means.

The alleged culprit, Chirunga, is wanted by Botswana authorities to face two counts of allegedly obtaining the national identity card commonly known as Omang and a passport through dubious means.

Chirunga is accused of murdering University of Botswana professor Richard Sehurutshe early last year. Sehurutshe’s body was found dumped in Molepolole, with his car missing.

In addition, Chirunga is also facing two counts of motor vehicle theft.

According to a local publication, Chirunga failed to appear at the magistrate’s court here because he is currently in the custody of the South Africa authorities after he was arrested for allegedly stealing a car in Mochudi.

After stealing the vehicle, Chirunga then used an illegal point of entry and took the car into South Africa. He is alleged to have sustained serious injuries after he was chased and arrested by South African police who noticed that Chirunga had cut the border fence to gain entry into South Africa. Mochudi police station confirmed the incident, according to the publication.

In June last year, the South African government restated its position that it will not extradite any suspects to Botswana who may face the death penalty.

“In terms of the Amended Treaty on Extradition, South Africa will first seek written assurance from Botswana, that a person accused of murder will not be facing the death penalty or execution, prior to any decision around deportation. It must be noted that, in fact, prior to the Amended Treaty, no provision was made for such assurances.”