29 Jul 2014

Maun police are investigating an incident in which a 25-year-old man lost his life after another man hit him with a log. 

Station commander, Superintendent Kenanao Badumetse confirmed the incident. He said the incident happened on July 27 at Namanyane Fishing Camp at Ditshiping in the Okavango Delta.

He said the deceased, the suspect and their friends were drinking traditional brew around the fire when the duo had a misunderstanding. 

The suspect took a log and hit the deceased on the head. Superintendent Badumetse said witnesses took the deceased together with the suspect to the Matlapana Satelite Police Station using a traditional canoe. 

The police rushed the deceased to Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital where he was certified dead.  The police chief said the suspect was in police custody assisting with investigations.

Still in Maun, police are investigating two incidents of suicide. Superintendent Badumetse said the first incident involved a 22-year-old man of Makalamabedi who was found hanging from a tree on Saturday morning.

He said the deceased was found by some men who were looking for cattle. He said they reported the matter to the nearby homestead where some elders confirmed that they knew the deceased.

The deceased used a wire to hang himself. He said the parents of the deceased said he was last seen on July 25 when he was supposed to travel to Maun, but he never reached his destination.

The second incident took place at Kgantshang settlement where a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a tree in the kraal. 

Superintendent Badumetse said the mother to the deceased reported that the man came home depressed on Saturday and gave her his cell phone. He said the deceased then disappeared and was seen the following day hanging from a tree in the kraal. 

The deceased used a rope to commit suicide. Police investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, Superintendent Badumetse said incidents of suicide were worrisome in his policing area, stating that in the month of July, they had already recorded four suicides. 

He appealed to the public to speak out when they have problems to avoid making irrational and impulsive decisions. He said they should approach social workers, dikgosi or their relatives to seek advice. ENDS