Murder cases on the rise in Mahalapye

Mahalapye police are troubled by the surge in murder cases stemming from minor altercations that could easily be resolved peacefully.

Mahalapye Police Station commander, Superintendent Omphile Malemenyane, highlighted the issue to The Monitor noting that in the first quarter of this year, they’ve already seen three murder cases, compared to just two for the whole of last year.

“These cases are associated with disputes arising at social venues, which could be settled amicably. It’s concerning because we’re seeing a trend of people failing to manage their anger, often fighting over trivial issues,” he said.

Malemenyane cited a recent incident under investigation, where a 36-year-old man from Madiba ward was fatally stabbed by a 29-year-old from Herero ward following a misunderstanding.

Despite efforts to locate the suspect, he turned himself in the next day.

“We’re still piecing together the details, but it’s evident that alcohol-fuelled altercations and illicit affairs are contributing to the spike in murders,” Malemenyane explained.

He urged the public to exercise restraint and settle disputes peacefully, emphasising the traditional Botswana value of resolving conflicts without violence.

“Ntwa kgolo keya molomo,” he said, adding that talking things out has always been Batswana’s way, but lately, there’s a disturbing trend of people resorting to violence at the drop of a hat.

Malemenyane emphasised that there are better ways to resolve conflicts without the tragic consequences including seeking assistance from elders or the police to mediate disputes before they escalate.

“We’re here not just to handle cases but to help prevent them. Our doors are open for mediation and reconciliation, not just reporting crimes.

“We believe this approach can stem the tide of escalating violence,” he added.

To address the issue, the police have been conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public on peaceful conflict resolution.

On a different note, Malemenyane noted an increase in housebreaking and theft cases this year, with 29 cases reported compared to 17 last year during the same period. However, there has been a slight decrease in stock theft, from 15 cases to 10 this quarter.

“We only recorded a slight decrease in stock theft because this quarter we have recorded 10 cases as compared to 15 cases that were reported the same period last year,” he said.