Tlokweng Police Investigate ‘Crimes Of Passion’

Police in Tlokweng are investigating a case in which two bodies were discovered recently at Boragane lands in the outskirts of Modipane village, in what is believed to be a murder-suicide incident.

Tlokweng police station commander, superintendent Unoziba Rari said investigators believe that a 42-year-old man who was found hanging from a tree in Boragane lands may have killed his 28-year-old girlfriend before committing suicide.

He said the girlfriend was found lying in a pool of blood in a farmhouse next to an axe and pick-axe, which were suspected to have been used by the boyfriend to kill the girlfriend.

Rari said on that fateful day prior to the incident, the woman from Mokatse had visited her boyfriend, a Maitengwe inhabitant working as a herdman at Boragane lands. He stated that the duo’s names have been withheld as they were yet to notify the relatives.

“We do not know what really transpired, but we suspect the lovers might have had a misunderstanding prior to the incident that lead to their deaths. Crimes of passion remain a concern. I am pleading with lovers to seek help when troubled or having misunderstandings to avoid unnecessary killings. Women continue to lose their lives at the hands of their intimate partners despite our (police) continued efforts to curb the offences,” he said.

Rari added it is of serious concern that despite their efforts over the past years to curb the scourge, murder-suicide cases remain a concern. He urged people, especially men to respect the sanctity of life and avoid using violent means to settle disputes.

In another matter, Tlokweng police are also investigating a case in which a 42-year-old Motswana woman is in trouble after pouring boiling cooking oil on her boyfriend’s other girlfriend. Rari said the incident occurred recently at Mafatswa ward in Tlokweng.

“The suspect, who is currently in police custody, allegedly found his 37-year-old boyfriend with a 45-year-old Zimbabwean woman suspected to be his other girlfriend. She allegedly pretended to be cooking, boiled cooking oil and splashed it all over her chest and thighs,” Rari said. He said the victim who has sustained serious injuries and is currently hospitalised and fighting for her life at Princess Marina Referral Hospital. He stated that the suspect is currently charged with unlawful wounding but the charge is likely to change as they are awaiting a doctor’s report.

“The charge of the offence is likely to change depending on the degree of the injury after receiving the doctor’s report. The suspect has been remanded in prison pending the investigation,” he said.