Murder keeps police boss on his toes

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Thursday January 7, 2010 00:00

Speaking to Mmegi in an interview yesterday, Mazwiduma said murder is one of the most serious crimes in the country. He explained that over the festive season, four murder cases were recorded in the district. 'Two of the cases were recorded in Botshabelo and the other two in Sefophe. In Botshabelo, a 26-year-old boy killed his 20-year-old girlfriend. In Sefophe, murder occurred in the village and the other one in the lands outside the village,' he said.

He expressed concern about murder cases, saying, 'it shows that the community accepts violence and this needs to be addressed and people must stop killing each other especially lovers.'

He also advised people to seek help when they have problems in their relationships instead of resorting to killing.

Mazwiduma said last year in the same period the area recorded only two murder cases.He explained that most of the other offences declined when compared to last year.

District Number 10 recorded 36 burglary cases in 2008 and this year only 12 cases were reported. There was no store breaking this year as compared to one case in 2008. In 2008, 23 cases of house breaking were reported and this time only 13 were reported. 

Three bars were broken into and alcohol was stolen, last year only one bar was broken into.

Mazwiduma said two people lost their lives in a fatal accident that occurred at Botshabelo, a day before Christmas. He explained that the driver lost control in an open road that led to the vehicle overturning. He mentioned that the whole district recorded 28 accidents, which were minor as compared to 26 cases of 2008.

He added that 10 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving and they are waiting to be brought before the magistrate courts for trial.

'We also arrested two people for harbouring illegal immigrants. We also arrested 17 Zimbabweans for entering Botswana at ungazetted points. Most of the Zimbabweans were arrested in Selebi-Phikwe, Serule and Semolale villages  over the festive season.

This is a great concern and shows that we have a lot to do to curb illegal immigrants,' Mazwiduma said.

Meanwhile, the police boss congratulated residents of areas that fall within his jurisdiction for cooperating with the police during the festive season. He also hailed bar operators for obeying bar operating hours. He pointed out that there was no bar operator who was charged for operating beyond stipulated hours.  Mazwiduma also advised people to invest in hiring security for their houses when they leave for holidays.