Sello Motseta
25th January 2023
The Botswana Police Spokesperson and Dipheko Motube revealed that 2 South African nationals who were arrested following a shoot-out with law enforcement officials in Gaborone appeared before the Village Magistrate Court today.
According to officials intelligence in their possession led them to confront the 6 armed suspects in the Block 8 area in Gaborone on Sunday with Police officials tight lipped about possible motives.
4 of the suspects involved in the altercation with Police are still at large.
“They appeared before the Village Magistrate court this morning facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition,” said Dipheko Motube, Spokesperson and Assistant Commissioner for the Botswana Police.
He said, ”They are remanded in custody and shall be back t Village magistrate court.”
The individuals Eric Matlou 42 years and William Mpadi Maphoto aged 39 are both South African nationals from Lephalele village, located in the Waterberg District Municipality of Limpopo province, South Africa.
Police are reluctant to speculate on the possible motives for the slowly declining incidence of armed robberies, ATM blasting, home invasions and business invasions in Botswana.
They would also not respond to social media posts speculation alleging a political motive and an attempt on the life of Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) Chief Brigadier Peter Magosi, who lives not far from where the altercation took place.
Magosi, is a key ally of President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is at odds with exiled Former President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama.
“One of the duo was arrested between 11-12 pm on Sunday whilst another was arrested around 10 am at different places in Gaborone,” said Dipheko Motube, Spokesperson and Assistant Commissioner for the Botswana Police.
He said, “We have developed a number of strategies to stop armed robberies and home invasions. During one of these stop and seizure operations the individuals opened fire.”
