22 Nov 2023

Three suspects are in police custody in relation to the death of a taxi driver, 35-year-old Mr Phenyo Jakoba of Molepolole.

Mr Jakoba, who was laid to rest at his home village this morning, had disappeared on November 9.

Police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Near Bagali, said in an interview that Mr Jakoba’s decomposed body was found on Tuesday (November 21) by a passer-by at Mosinki near Molepolole. Senior Supt Bagali said the suspects, aged between 20 and 23, were two men and a woman.

The three, who were arrested on November 21, were the last people who were in contact with the deceased, hence the police took them in for questioning.

“We, however, have to cast our net wider in search of who is involved,” Senior Supt Bagali said, adding that the police had assigned three officers to carryout investigations.

He said since the body was found in a bad state of decomposition, the police engaged a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem on the spot.

Preliminary suggestions, he added, indicated that this was a possible murder case.

“The reason why we are investigating is that although the post-mortem was done November 21, we believe that investigations have to conclude,” he said.

 As a result, he appealed to the public to let the investigators do their work, let the family mourn their loved one privately and desist from speculations.

Mr Jakoba was first reported missing on November 9 by his girlfriend after he failed to go home in the evening as usual.  

On the day of his disappearance, the deceased had allegedly concluded a transaction in which he sold his taxi to someone in Molepolole. Ends