Suicide, murder mar festive season

VICTOR MUYAKWABO
Staff Writer | Tuesday January 8, 2013 00:00

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has revealed that three persons committed suicide in Molapowabojang during the period.  Still in the same village, two men were arrested for murder while an old man died from what is suspected to be a heart attack. All the incidents occurred between December 23, 2012 and January 1, 2013.In other suicide cases, a 23-year-old man of Ramokgwebana committed suicide by hanging himself from the rafters of his house in Tshesebe.  It is alleged that the deceased had a misunderstanding with his family early in the morning of Christmas day.

A record 18 people committed suicide during the festive season with the same number reportedly murdered.  On Christmas day, three murder cases were recorded in Khakhea, Sekhukhwane lands in Molepolole and Mosiang lands in Moshupa.  In one of the incidents, a 22-year-old allegedly murdered his lover, an 18-year-old student of Lobatse Senior Secondary School, following a dispute.

In another murder case on December 31, 2012, a 25-year-old woman of Leretweng ward in Mahalapye died after she was stabbed several times by her boyfriend following a disagreement.  The deceased was rushed to Mahalapye Hospital where she was certified dead.  The suspect is in police custody. Police in Palapye are investigating a case in which a 25-year-old woman was murdered by her boyfriend on January 1, 2013 after they quarrelled over money.

A two-month-old baby died after she was found unconscious in her parent's house in Mahalapye while a 51-year-old man of Ramotswa was found lying by the road side at Sengoma lands. He was later certified dead at Bamalete Lutheran Hospital, Ramotswa.  Police are said to be investigating the matter.Police statistics reveal that 30 people died from road accidents over the holidays compared to 25 during the same period last year, which also saw nine murders and 11 suicides.