29 Dec 2023

The search for a 24-year-old man of Mahalapye who is believed to have drowned in Mahalapye River on Tuesday continues.

In an interview with BOPA, Mahalapye District commissioner, Mr Ernest Phiri said there was need to intensify efforts, adding that the search team had searched along Mahalapye River and covered considerable kilometres stretching from Mahalapye to as far as Limpopo/Mahalapye rivers confluence.

He said a police helicopter search team was enlisted on Thursday.

A good number of members of the public from Mahalapye and Mokoswane villages have turned up to assist the search team, which comprised members of the Botswana Defence Force, Special Support Group and Botswana Police Service, he said.

He said a stretch of about a kilometre before the Mahalapye/Limpopo rivers confluence was dry but the team had searched the area as well, to ensure no stone was unturned.

Mr Phiri said Mahalapye River water ended at Kudumatse which is a stone’s throw away from Limpopo River confluence therefore, nullifying suspicions that the man could have swept him away into Limpopo River.

The search normally starts in the morning and ends at 6pm, Mr Phiri said. Ends