When Lobatse residents went on the rampage recently, people condemned them as they rioted demanding for answers to a confusing development as the police investigated the incident of the missing boy.
This week, the matter took a new twist after the police arrested and charged 37-year-old Zimbabwean, Lovemore Sithole, for one count of murder of the seven-year-old Karema.
The suspect, who has since appeared before Lobatse Magistrate’s Court, has been remanded in police custody awaiting his next mention scheduled for July 12. Sithole happens to be Tlotso’s stepfather.
Allegations that have come to light and eventually led to Sithole’s arrest have brought back memories of the old Segametsi Mogomotsi saga. Segametsi was allegedly killed for ritual purposes in Mochudi in 1994.
The circumstances around the Karema case are puzzling and confusing to say the least. From the onset, it was clear that there is more to the case than just what the police were telling the public.
It raises questions as to what it is that the police were doing or knew at the time. Did they do thorough investigations? Was there any form of negligence on the part of the police especially that there are allegations that there was a mix-up of the forensic results?
Whose bones did the police give to Karema’s family to bury? Did the police ignore leads? These are actually some of the many questions that are being asked.
It also raises eyebrows as to why the police only acted on public anger for them to work on resolving the mystery regarding the disappearance of Karema.
There is so much that does not add up about this case and it is very confusing. While the Karema case has attracted so much public attention, it is one of the many mysterious murder or missing person cases that go unresolved in this country.
The time is nigh for cases of this nature to be treated with the seriousness they deserve because incidents have spiralled out of control.
We know the police have their way of dealing with cases of this nature, but is it really working?
This is a wake-up call on how we should deal with incidents of this nature.
Today's thought
“Ritual abuse may or may not have satanic overtones.”
– Susan C. Van Benschoten
