FRANCISTOWN: An unknown man who had stolen a mini-bus was fatally shot at Bisoli veterinary gate. On Wednesday night, videos circulated on social media with clips of local law enforcement officers shooting an unknown violent man who was also seen hurling stones.
Confirming the incident, Botswana Police Service (BPS) Deputy Public relations Officer Senior Superintendent, Near Bagali said that they are in the process of identifying an unknown man who was fatally shot by the law enforcement officers.
He also said that the incident happened on Wednesday evening. Speaking about what transpired, Bagali said there was a report of a stolen minibus at Francistown police station earlier before the fatal incident.
Based on the report, the stolen mini-bus was seen travelling along the A1 towards the north. Bagali said an alert was then issued so that the police on duty at the Veterinary gate would be able to identify the stolen minibus when passing by. He stated that the minibus that matched the description of the stolen one arrived at a rapid speed shortly after the police received the report. A police officer pulled over the car and ordered the driver out, but the suspect pulled out a knife and threatened the officer, he explained. "As the police officer continued to move forward, the man began to hit the officer with stones. Additionally, he was brandishing a wooden pick handle and making threats of damage," he stated.
The BPS deputy PR officer stated that after realising the subject posed a threat and that they needed to disarm him, the law enforcement personnel began shooting warning bullets.
He alleged that the suspect continued to throw stones instead of stopping. In an attempt to stop the situation, the law enforcement officers shot the suspect. Bagali stated that one of the law enforcement personnel was also injured during the shootout.
He added that upon arrival at the Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NHR), the suspect was declared dead while the injured officer was still admitted in hospital but in a very stable condition. He reported that the deceased man's body is still at the NRH mortuary, where investigators are still attempting to identify the deceased and find out details about his past. Bagali added that while the investigation is ongoing, they were able to locate the owner of the stolen minibus.
