26 Feb 2024

Criminal investigations of a cash-in-transit heist which claimed 10 lives at Phase II in Gaborone were conducted and a case of armed robbery has been preferred against the surviving suspect with trial set for April.

Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi told Parliament on Friday that the matter was set for trial on April 2. He said criminal investigations and an inquest hearing could not run parallel under the same matter and that the status quo stated above obtained.

Mr Mmusi also said he had taken the initiative as a minister to make several statements about robberies and cash-in-transit heists as well as media briefings to express serious concern on the lives of persons and the negative impact on the economy. He highlighted that government was committed to promoting and upholding fundamental universal human rights of right to life of all citizens and accountability as espoused in Vision 2036 and the Constitution.

He noted that the law provided for the use of minimum and lethal force where it was justified to make an arrest. He assured Parliament that security agencies would continue to operate according to the dictates of the law relating to the use of minimum and lethal force.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had asked the minister to update Parliament on whether there were any investigations conducted after 10 individuals were shot to death by security agents at Plot 18515, Phase II Gaborone on February 23 2022.

He also wanted to know if the nation could expect to see an inquest hearing being convened on the deaths of the 10 individuals. Furthermore, he wanted to know if the minister had made any statements to Parliament on the shooting, and if not, could it have been so because he did not see the incident being of any consequence or seriousness.

The Okavango MP further wanted to know whether the minister or any institution under his superintendence took action after the incident to show that government respected, promoted and upholded the fundamental right to life of all citizens. 

He also asked if the minister supported the view being peddled by some that unfettered use of lethal force by security agencies was justified in dealing with serious crimes such as robbery. ends