FRANCISTOWN: Police in Masunga are investigating an incident in which a house fire claimed the lives of three people.
It is alleged that a 40-year-old welder from Tutume village set a one-room house on fire killing his 31-year-old girlfriend, stepson and his girlfriend’s 28-year-old relative. Masunga Police Station Commander, Superintendent, Raymond Gabotholwe said they received a report in the early hours of Wednesday about a burning one-room house in Makaleng village's Mosendani ward. He said that upon arrival they discovered that there were three individuals inside the burning house including the suspect’s girlfriend, her relative, and the girlfriend’s son aged 4. Gabotholwe said that with the assistance of the family, they were able to get the three victims out of the house after extinguishing the fire. He further said that the three victims were rushed to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NHR).
Gabotholwe said sadly the boy (4) died at PG Matante International Airport at around 16:45 while waiting to be airlifted to Bokamoso Private Hospital in Gaborone. He further explained that the 28-year-old woman died at around 18:15 while undergoing treatment at NHR.
“The suspect’s girlfriend who was airlifted to Sidilega Private Hospital, after her son passed away died today (Thursday) at 9am,” he said.
It is reported that the couple had a heated argument on Tuesday. The suspect is alleged to have left, only to return in the wee hours of Wednesday and set the one room house on fire.
"The suspect returned with a container of petrol, poured it around the one-room house, opened the window and poured some inside the house and set the house on fire," he said. He further said the suspect left the scene after setting the house on fire. Gabotholwe stated that following the incident; the police spent the entire day searching for the suspect. He was later found hanging from a tree near Shashane River, which is about 2km from Makaleng village. The suspect is said to have used a wire to commit the act. He said that the suspect’s body was then taken to Tutume Primary Hospital for post mortem. Gabotholwe stated that cases related to gender-based violence (GBV) remain a concern in his policing area. He added that since GBV-related issues require immediate attention, individuals should not delay to report such incidents. Additionally, he stated that it is imperative that misunderstandings between lovers be reported promptly to avoid situations getting out hand. He said GBV related matters need professional interventions from social workers, professional counselors, leaders such as Dikgosi and others.
Gabotholwe said sadly the boy (4) died at PG Matante International Airport at around 16:45 while waiting to be airlifted to Bokamoso Private Hospital in Gaborone. He further explained that the 28-year-old woman died at around 18:15 while undergoing treatment at NHR.
“The suspect’s girlfriend who was airlifted to Sidilega Private Hospital, after her son passed away died today (Thursday) at 9am,” he said.
It is reported that the couple had a heated argument on Tuesday. The suspect is alleged to have left, only to return in the wee hours of Wednesday and set the one room house on fire.
"The suspect returned with a container of petrol, poured it around the one-room house, opened the window and poured some inside the house and set the house on fire," he said. He further said the suspect left the scene after setting the house on fire. Gabotholwe stated that following the incident; the police spent the entire day searching for the suspect. He was later found hanging from a tree near Shashane River, which is about 2km from Makaleng village. The suspect is said to have used a wire to commit the act. He said that the suspect’s body was then taken to Tutume Primary Hospital for post mortem. Gabotholwe stated that cases related to gender-based violence (GBV) remain a concern in his policing area. He added that since GBV-related issues require immediate attention, individuals should not delay to report such incidents. Additionally, he stated that it is imperative that misunderstandings between lovers be reported promptly to avoid situations getting out hand. He said GBV related matters need professional interventions from social workers, professional counselors, leaders such as Dikgosi and others.
