Suicide ruled out in minor’s death
Police suspect girl chocked from homemade swing
The minor that was found dead and hanging by the neck from a laundry line in Tonota last week was the daughter of a police officer based in Tonota.
The six-year-old was laid to rest in Maun this past Sunday. Her death sent shockwaves across the country.
Many refused to believe that a six- year- old was capable of intentionally killing herself. Instead, they demanded that police do a thorough investigation on the cause of the girl’s death
In fact, Botswana Police Service Deputy Public Relations Officer Near Bagali told this publication that they equally have no reason to believe that to be true.
“From what we gather, possibilities are high that she might have been freely swinging from a homemade swing made of wire.
“The gown belt she was found hanging from was part of the material that was used for the swing,” he said.
They suspect that the girl might have put the belt around her neck as she continuously swung back and forth.
When her body snapped accidentally from the swing, she might have been left suspended in air, hanging from the belt, leading to her choking and dying.
“Suicide is the intentional killing of oneself and a six-year-old has no reason to kill herself. It is just an unfortunate incident that happened,” Bagali said.
He said they are still exploring all possibilities including foul play. However, he said the swing had been there for the longest time.
In fact other children living in the same neighbourhood often used it during the day, making it hard but not impossible to believe that her untimely death may have not been planned or deliberate.
He said the child was unlucky and advised parents to always keep an eye on their children.
The incident has lef t the entire Tonota Police department traumatised since the child was friends with children of other law officers in the area.