Man stabbed to death during Independence celebrations

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday October 4, 2017 17:42

Superintendent Obert Manje of Matsiloje Police Station confirmed the incident on Tuesday, but said that the investigations on the matter are still ongoing.

He said that the police received a report involving two men fighting at a popular tavern during BOT 50+1 celebrations.

He said the fight started between 10pm and 10.30pm at a bar in Matsiloje, where revellers were celebrating Independence Day. Manje said the two men are said to have exchanged blows and in the process, the 23-year-old illegal immigrant allegedly used a knife to finish off his opponent.

He said on their arrival at the scene, they found a man lying in a pool of blood.

He said that the victim was then rushed to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NRH) where he was certified dead on arrival.

Manje said they arrested the suspect on October 1, who was also taken to NRH for injuries sustained allegedly during the fight with the deceased.

He said an angry mob of revellers who witnessed the fight wanted to take the law into their own hands by attacking the suspect. The station commander said the police managed to intervene before it was too late. He further said they have managed to identify the deceased and his names are withheld until his next of kin are informed.

Manje said the suspect would appear before the courts where he will be charged with murder and illegally entering Botswana through an ungazetted entry point.

The police boss urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands as that is a criminal offence.

He encouraged the community to always seek help from the police when they are being harassed.