Desert race festival flops
Monday, June 26, 2023 | 4560 Views |
The previous Desert race event was held in Selebi-Phikwe in 2019 with the last Jwaneng one held back in 2018. The Desert Race is one of the biggest events in the Botswana calendar attracting an estimated crowd of about 100,000 people.
The music event was organised by popular music promoter Gilbert Seagile also known as 'PP Wa Pimp' and headlined by veteran Rhumba artist Franco & Afro Musica. Franco alone is a crowd puller, but it seems that the Desert Race spectators did have time to brave the cold weather and attend the festival to see the Ke lela le lona hit maker. The majority of the Desert Race revellers were crowded at local bars especially at the Jwaneng Galaxy Sports Club where it was almost a mini festival.
A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was...