03 Oct 2017

Francistown Police Station Commander, Superintendent Lebalang Maniki has appealed to the public to help identify the corpse of a man who was certified dead after collapsing in Area L on September 9.

In an interview, Supt Maniki said the man was estimated to be aged 35 years, and that he was only known as Sebare as he used to collect and sell empty bottles around Area L bars.

He said police efforts to trace his relatives could not bear any fruit. 

He said the deceased was wearing a black trouser with blue overall pants, a yellow golf t-shirt with a blue collar and brown leather shoes. He said the deceased had a Mohawk haircut and was estimated to be 1.72 metres tall.

On other issues, the police commander said cases of breaking into motor vehicles and theft in Monarch, Town Centre and Area L were worrisome. He said between July and September 22 cases were reported while between April and June 21 cases were recorded. Supt Maniki said the cases indicated an increase because for the period January to March only 11 cases were recorded.

He said the police have realised that criminals targeted cars that had valuables such as laptops, handbags, money and grocery, and he encouraged motorists to always ensure they never left their valuables unattended.

He further said in areas such as Area G, vehicles were broken into at night and their radios stolen. He encouraged motorists to remove their radios at night.

On assault cases, Supt Maniki said Monarch recorded the highest number in his area of jurisdiction. He said between July and September 43 cases were reported, and that most of the victims were women.

He said although the cases could be viewed as minor, they were a concern as they could lead to murder and permanent disfigurement of victims. 

He said the cases were also gender based violence and a violation of human rights. He urged the public to refrain from violence and to seek counselling whenever they had misunderstandings.

The other cases that Supt Maniki said were a concern were those of stealing from a person, harbouring of illegal immigrants and malicious damage to property.

He said 31 people were charged for harbouring illegal immigrants in Monarch during the July-September quarter. 

He said seven cases of malicious damage to property and stealing from a person were recorded respectively for the same quarter, and that a group of boys aged between 18-30 years who were mostly school drop-outs were arrested in connection with stealing from a person and were waiting to appear in court. ENDS