Botswana: Fifteen Botswana, 13 men and two women, aged between 26 and 43, all of Molepolole, appeared before Molepolole Magistrate Court for three counts of Arson and two of Malicious Damage to Property yesterday on (27/11/2023).
According to the charge sheet read before the Court, the suspects and others who were not before the Court, acting jointly, set two huts on fire at Goo-Dira ward in Molepolole and burnt another house at Kgosing ward still in Molepolole on or about 23/11/2023.
They proceeded to Molepolole Main Kgotla willfully and unlawfully set the shelter ablaze. They damaged a Government motor vehicle and also smashed 52 office window panes, all belonging to the Kweneng Tribal Administration in Molepolole. Additional charges and arrests are expected as the Police continue with the investigations.
The suspects are linked to the disturbances that occurred in Molepolole following the disappearance of 35-year-old Phenyo Jakoba, who went missing on the 9th of November 2023 and was found dead at Mosinki Lands near Molepolole on the 21st of November 2023.
In granting them bail, Principal Magistrate Solomon Setshedi ordered the suspects to enter into their recognisance of P5000.00 each and were to present sureties who would bind themselves with the same amount.
The suspects were further ordered to report themselves at Molepolole Police Station every day for two consecutive weeks, effective from 28/11/2023 and after that, once every month until they appear again before Molepolole Magistrate Court on 27th February 2024.
Netizens reacted badly; one of the residents said, “All of these are sad realities…but above all, human life matters! Things start small and grow into a monster that will be difficult to deal with. With time, things do change.”
However, another local seemed concerned as he considered this a trouble. He said, “Now they are in trouble alone; those who were cheering them are quiet; they don’t want to help them.”