18 Jul 2024

Maun police have reported reduced crime incidents and offences in the policing jurisdiction over President’s Day Holidays compared to last year.

Station commander, Superintendent Dennis Zilawe said in an interview that a total of 77 traffic offences were recorded during the holidays compared to last year’s 109.

Of the 77, he said 24 drivers were charged for speeding, 12 for driving without licences while four were charged for driving under the influence. 

On crime, Superintendent Zilawe said they registered 56 cases compared to last year same period where they recorded 76. 

“Majority of the cases are common assaults, house break-ins and possession of drugs among others,” he added.

He thanked the Maun community for their cooperation.

Despite reduced crime incidents,  he said they were investigating a rape case and fatal car accident that dampened the mood of the holidays in his area. 

Superintendent Zilawe said a 13-year-old girl was raped by a 42-year-old man in Maun on July 16, adding that the victim met her fate around 7pm at Boseja Ward while on the way to her mother’s residential place.

The victim, he said, was from her father’s place when the suspect attacked and raped her, adding that the victim went back to report to her father who alerted the police. 

He said fortunately, the police managed to arrest the suspect at his place in Boseja and he was currently in police custody while investigations continue.

On the fatal accident, he said a 45-year-old man lost his life  in a car accident along Shorobe Road on July 14. 

The vehicle, which had 4 passengers including the driver, was from Maun to Shorobe when it veered off the road after the driver lost control. 

He said the passengers sustained serious injuries. 

Prior to the holidays, Department of Road Transport and Safety in conjunction with Maun District Road Safety Committee and key stakeholders conducted a mass prayer at Maun bus rank to seek divine intervention on roads and promote road safety awareness. 

The committee chairperson, Ms Tryphinah Mbotho, said the event was in line with implementation of the United Nations Global Safety Plan and the Decade of Action for Road Safety for the years 2021-2030 which aimed to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by the year 2030. Ends