Police worried by 'senseless' killings

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Thursday November 18, 2010 00:00

No one knows why these 'senseless' killings continue to escalate despite the enforcement of the death penalty in Botswana.

There has not been any clear reason advanced to explain these killings, but speculation is that there is a general lack of education among perpetrators of these crimes.

According to the police, murder cases of this type are often perpetrated with knives over trivial matters usually during drinking sprees. It was indicated that those who go about freely with knives in their pockets often use them at the spur of the moment after taking alcohol.

Central Police Station commander, superintendent Mokuedi Mphathi said murders, which often occur over small matters when people have had one too many, have become too common. He also expressed concern about the recent increase in murder cases.

Since the beginning of the year, Mphathi said, his station has recorded 10 murder cases. He said this is a shocking figure when compared to that of last year, when only six cases recorded.

The latest case is that of an 18-year-old man of Monarch location who stabbed a 31-year-old man to death for allegedly harassing his sister in pursuit of love. The incident occurred in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

This came a week after a 26-year-old Zimbabwean was stabbed by his fellow countryman at a drinking spot in Monarch area.

'People need to be educated not to resort to violence whenever they have misunderstandings. They should be taught to resolve issues amicably,' said Superintendent Mphathi.

He also indicated that for the murder cases to be reduced there has to be collective effort from the community, including all government, private and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

He said as the police, they are trying to address the problem by involving the neighbourhood watch clusters.

Mphathi further noted that parents should resort to the traditional ways of raising their children in which they are taught to discuss problems with elders.

'Killings are not good at all. It should not be used to justify a grievance. People should always try as much as they can to erase the thought of killing another person whenever that thought comes to their minds,' admonished the police officer.

He however noted that he is satisfied with the capital punishment, adding that it has to some extent deterred would-be murderers from perpetrating the crime.

'People are well aware of the consequences of committing murder, but what they may not be aware of is how to avoid violence which could end up in murder,' said Mphathi.