Maun Police Station Commander Superintended Dennis Zilawe has confirmed an incident in which a six year old boy was allegedly murdered by his 30-year-old step-dad following a misunderstanding with his mother.
According to Zilawe, the disturbing chain of events began on Tuesday when the couple (both 30-year-old) who are staying together at Disaneng Ward engaged in a heated argument.
The man reportedly accused the woman of infidelity, igniting a dispute that escalated into a violent confrontation. The suspect is reported to have forcibly abducted the woman and subjected her to physical abuse during a car ride.
In a desperate bid to escape her attacker and fearing for her safety, the woman is said to have then managed to flee and return home. To her anguish, she found her child missing, prompting strong suspicions that her estranged partner had abducted the child. She immediately reported the matter to the police and the search for both the man and her child begun.
Zilawe stated that as the search went on police received a tip-off about a burning vehicle in Disaneng where upon arrival they found that the said vehicle belonged to the man.
Police continued with the search but as dawn broke at around 6 am the following day, the suspect is said to have handed himself at the police station and when interrogated he confessed to being responsible for the mysterious disappearance of his stepson and subsequently led them to his location.
According to Zilawe, the confession took a horrifying turn when law enforcement officers discovered the seemingly lifeless body of the child in the boot of another car he was using.
The child’s body was then rushed to Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital where he was confirmed dead. Though the official cause of the minor’s death awaits confirmation from the autopsy results, the station commander said the suspect has however confessed that he strangled him.
According to Zilawe, the 30-year-old suspect faces multiple charges, including arson, assault and murder and the man is scheduled to be arraigned before the Maun Magistrate’s Court today (Friday 11th).
